外源SNP对盐胁迫下甜瓜幼苗生长及抗氧化酶活性的影响北大核心CSCD

为明确外源一氧化氮(NO)对甜瓜幼苗耐盐性的影响,该研究以甜瓜品种‘农大甜10号’为试验材料,在300 mmol·L^(-1)NaCl胁迫条件下,叶面喷施不同浓度(50、100、150、200、250μmol·L^(-1))外源NO供体硝普钠(SNP),分析甜瓜幼苗生长、光合色素含量、细胞膜透性、抗氧化酶活性、渗透调节物质含量的变化。结果表明:(1)盐胁迫显著抑制甜瓜幼苗的生长,同时显著降低叶片光合色素含量、细胞膜透性、抗氧化酶活性、渗透调节物质含量。(2)叶面喷施150μmol·L^(-1)SNP能够显著提高盐胁迫下甜瓜幼苗的株高、茎粗、干鲜重、壮苗指数,并显著提高盐胁迫下甜瓜幼苗的光合色素含量,从而提高甜瓜的光合作用。(3)喷施150μmol·L^(-1)SNP可显著提高盐胁迫下甜瓜幼苗超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)及脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)的活性,显著降低盐胁迫下甜瓜幼苗的丙二醛(MDA)、过氧化氢(H_(2)O_(2))含量及超氧阴离子(O^(-)·_(2))产生速率。(4)喷施150μmol·L^(-1)SNP可显著提高盐胁迫下甜瓜幼苗叶片脯氨酸(Pro)和可溶性蛋白的含量。研究认为,在盐胁迫环境下,适宜浓度的外源SNP(150μmol·L^(-1))可通过提高甜瓜幼苗的抗氧化酶活性以及光合色素和小分子可溶性有机化合物含量来增强活性氧的清除能力,降低膜脂过氧化作用,有效减轻盐胁迫对幼苗的伤害,从而增强其耐盐性,促进幼苗生长。     

旱-盐复合胁迫对玉米种子萌发和生理特性的影响

分别用15% PEG、100 mmol·L^-1 NaCl及其混合溶液模拟干旱(D)、盐(S)及旱-盐复合胁迫(D+S)对玉米种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响.结果表明: 3种胁迫处理均明显抑制了种子萌发、幼芽、幼根的伸长及生物量的积累,且影响程度为D>D+S>S;幼芽及幼根中过氧化氢(H₂O₂)、超氧阴离子(O^-·₂)等活性氧含量及丙二醛(MDA)含量明显升高,质膜相对透性增大,脯氨酸、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白等生理渗透调节物质含量显著增加,且幼芽中含量高于幼根,积累程度均为D>D+S>S.3种胁迫处理均使幼芽、幼根中的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX) 等抗氧化酶活性增强;其中,SOD和APX活性表现为复合胁迫介于单一胁迫之间,而POD和CAT活性表现为复合胁迫大于单一胁迫;说明旱-盐复合逆境胁迫对玉米种子萌发及幼苗生理特性的影响并不是单一胁迫的简单叠加,与单一干旱胁迫相比,旱-盐复合胁迫在一定程度上能够缓解干旱胁迫对玉米种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响.     

渝17S对低温胁迫的响应及耐冷机制初步研究

重庆及西南稻区水稻幼苗期倒春寒频发,常常导致秧苗生长迟缓,白化、烂秧等发生,制约了优质水稻安全生产和轻简化技术的应用。本研究以耐冷性较强的渝17S和对低温敏感的Y58S为材料,对比研究了3叶龄幼苗经4℃低温处理后,二者可溶性糖、海藻糖、脯氨酸、丙二醛和过氧化氢的含量,超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶的活性,以及荧光定量PCR检测胁迫相关的9个基因的表达情况。结果表明:与Y58S相比,渝17S具有更强的苗期耐冷性,在低温胁迫下,其死苗率为7.5%,而Y58S死苗率高达96.7%;低温胁迫下2个品种叶片中丙二醛和H₂O₂含量均升高,但渝17S增幅较小;渝17S叶片中抗氧化酶(超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶)活性,可溶性糖和海藻糖含量,以及OsCATB、OsSOD、OsAPx8,OsTPS1、OsTPP1、OsMKK6、OsMAPK3和OsICE1基因表达量均呈不同程度增加;2个品种叶片中脯氨酸含量和脯氨酸合成限速酶基因(OsP5CS)的表达量未见明显差异。初步认为,H₂O₂信号分子和海藻糖可以调控渝17S对低温胁迫的响应,从而增强其幼苗的抗寒性。     

一氧化氮对裸燕麦耐盐性的增强效应

采用营养液培养方法,以‘定莜6号’裸燕麦为材料,研究外源一氧化氮供体硝普钠(SNP)对100 mmol·L-1Na Cl胁迫下裸燕麦幼苗生长、活性氧代谢和渗透溶质积累的影响。结果表明:5μmol·L-1SNP能明显缓解Na Cl胁迫对幼苗生长的抑制作用,显著提高Na Cl胁迫下裸燕麦叶片超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化物酶和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶活性及谷胱甘肽和抗坏血酸含量,降低丙二醛、过氧化氢、超氧阴离子和游离氨基酸含量及过氧化氢酶活性,提高可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质和脯氨酸含量及K+/Na+比。分析表明,外源一氧化氮通过提高抗氧化能力和渗透溶质积累以及维持K+、Na+平衡,缓解盐胁迫诱导的氧化伤害和生长抑制,从而提高裸燕麦的耐盐性。     

转BADH基因水稻幼苗抗盐性研究

以转甜菜碱醛脱氢酶(BADH)基因水稻品系52-7的受体亲本中花8号、旱作品种开系7和陆稻白珍珠为对照,分别用含0、5、7 g?L-1NaCl的水稻专用营养液培养水稻幼苗,对转BADH基因水稻品系52-7的抗盐性及其机理进行研究.结果表明:在正常培养条件下,转基因水稻幼苗比对照品种长势旺,根系活力强,可溶性糖和叶绿素含量高,抗氧化酶SOD和POD活性高.在盐胁迫条件下,水稻幼苗生长减慢,根冠比值减小,根系活力增强;膜透性和丙二醛(MDA)含量增加,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性提高;脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量升高,叶绿素含量下降,蛋白质分解加强;且随着盐浓度的升高各指标变化幅度增加.与对照品种比较,转基因水稻幼苗在盐胁迫下的生长量和根冠比较大,电解质相对渗出率和MDA含量较低,蛋白质和叶绿素分解较少,表现出较强的抗盐性.盐胁迫下转基因水稻幼苗比对照品种具有更高的脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量以及SOD和POD活性,使其抗盐性强.     

外源H2O2对盐胁迫下小麦幼苗生理指标的影响

以‘郑麦-004’小麦幼苗为供试材料,采用Hoagland营养液培养方法,通过添加H2O2的清除剂过氧化氢酶(CAT)和抗坏血酸(ASA),研究0.05μmol/L外源H2O2处理对150mmol/L NaCl胁迫下小麦幼苗生长和抗氧化系统活性的影响,探讨低浓度外源H2O2对盐胁迫下小麦幼苗伤害的防护作用及其生理机制。结果显示:外源H2O2能缓解盐胁迫对小麦幼苗生长的抑制效应,降低丙二醛(MDA)含量和超氧自由基(O2.-)的产生速率,使小麦幼苗的株高、根长和干重均显著增加,并能提高超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、CAT、抗坏血酸氧化酶(APX)等保护酶活性和抗氧化物质谷胱甘肽(GSH)的含量;而H2O2清除剂(CAT和AsA)能够逆转外源H2O2对盐胁迫下小麦幼苗生长的促进作用。研究表明,低浓度外源H2O2处理能促进小麦幼苗中的酶类和非酶类抗氧化剂的产生,减少脂质过氧化物的含量,提高小麦幼苗的耐盐性。     

独脚金内酯类似物GR24对山定子幼苗低氮胁迫的缓解作用

研究叶面喷施不同浓度独脚金内酯类似物GR24(0、1、5、10、20μmol·L^-1)对低氮胁迫下山定子幼苗叶片光合生理特性及根系活性氧代谢和氮同化的影响，以期探索应用GR24缓解山定子幼苗低氮胁迫的适宜方法。结果表明：低氮胁迫下山定子幼苗地上部生物量显著降低，根冠比升高；叶片中叶绿素含量降低，类胡萝卜素含量升高，光合活性降低；根系中超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性变化不显著，但过氧化物酶和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶活性及可溶性糖、游离脯氨酸和活性氧含量显著升高，可溶性蛋白含量显著降低；根系中硝酸根离子含量降低，铵根离子含量升高，硝酸还原酶和谷氨酸合成酶活性均降低。与不喷施GR24相比，低氮胁迫和正常供氮条件下叶面喷施10和20μmol·L^-1 GR24处理都不同程度增加了山定子幼苗生物量和根冠比，提高了叶绿素含量，增强了净光合速率、蒸腾速率和气孔导度等光合参数，改善了PSⅡ最大光化学效率和单位面积电子传递量子产额等荧光特性，增加了根系渗透调节物质(可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖和游离脯氨酸)含量，增强了根系谷氨酰胺合成酶活性；低氮胁迫下叶面喷施10和20μmo...     

不同黄瓜品种幼苗对等渗Mg（NO3）2和NaCl胁迫的生理响应

以3个不同类型的黄瓜品种为试材,采用营养液培养方法,研究等渗Mg(NO3)2和Na Cl胁迫对黄瓜幼苗生长、叶片膜脂过氧化、抗氧化酶活性以及渗透调节物质的影响,采用隶属函数法对其耐盐性进行综合评价.结果表明:与对照相比,60、80 mmol·L-1Mg(NO3)2和等渗90、120 mmol·L-1Na Cl胁迫下,随盐浓度的增加,3种不同生态类型的黄瓜品种幼苗株高、茎粗、叶面积、地上部和地下部干鲜质量及抗氧化酶活性显著降低,盐浓度越高,受抑制程度越高,丙二醛含量显著升高、增幅变大,膜脂过氧化程度加重,其中‘SJ31-1’的生物量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性下降幅度及丙二醛含量上升幅度均小于其他品种.等渗浓度的Mg(NO3)2比Na Cl对黄瓜幼苗的抑制程度大,浓度越大差异越显著.脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量变化存在基因型和盐类型的差异.盐胁迫后,‘SJ31-1’的脯氨酸含量增幅最大,‘鲁白19号’的可溶性糖含量增幅最大,‘新泰密刺’介于两者之间.Na Cl胁迫下,不同黄瓜品种渗透调节物质以可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白为主,而Mg(NO3)2胁迫下以脯氨酸和可溶性蛋白为主.不同黄瓜品种耐盐性的综合评价次序为‘SJ31-1’>‘新泰密刺’>‘鲁白19号’.     

外源ABA对楸树幼苗NaCl胁迫的缓解效应及其生长生理响应特征

以2年生楸树(苏楸1号和008-1)扦插苗为材料,采用盆栽试验法,分析盐胁迫(0.5%NaCl)处理下楸树幼苗生长、生理的变化,并分析不同浓度外源ABA(15、25、35 mg/L)对盐胁迫(30 d)楸树幼苗的缓解效应及其生理生化特性,以探索重度盐胁迫下适合楸树幼苗生长的适宜外源ABA浓度,为增强盐碱地楸树的耐盐性、提高盐碱地的利用提供理论依据。结果显示:(1)0.5%NaCl胁迫下,两品种楸树幼苗叶片表现出不同程度的盐害症状,且‘苏楸1号’叶片盐害症状较‘008-1’严重;随胁迫时间延长,两品种楸树幼苗的相对电导率(REC)均呈先上升后下降的变化趋势,叶绿素(Chl)、相对含水量(RWC)均呈降低趋势,可溶性糖(SS)、可溶性蛋白(SP)、脯氨酸(Pro)以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性均呈先上升后下降趋势,但‘008-1’的REC显著低于‘苏楸1号’,Chl、RWC、SS、SP、Pro、SOD均显著高于苏楸1号,表明‘008-1’的耐盐性较‘苏楸1号’更强。(2)喷施外源ABA使得盐胁迫下‘008-1’楸树的苗高显著增加、新叶提前萌发,表明外源ABA在一定程度上能够缓解盐胁迫对楸树生长的影响;喷施外源ABA降低了盐胁迫下‘008-1’楸树幼苗叶片的REC,提高了Chl、RWC、SS、SP、Pro、SOD、过氧化物酶(POD)以及过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,促进了内源激素生长素(IAA)、脱落酸(ABA)、赤霉素(GA3)以及玉米素核苷(ZR)的积累。研究表明,楸树品种‘008-1’的耐盐性更强;外源喷施适宜浓度ABA能够缓解盐胁迫对楸树幼苗生长的影响,降低幼苗叶片细胞膜透性,促进幼苗渗透调节物质的积累,增强渗透调节能力,并提高盐胁迫下幼苗的抗氧化酶活性,促进植物对内源激素含量的调节,从而提高楸树的耐盐性,且以25 mg/L ABA处理的效果最好。     

盐胁迫对一年生盐生野大豆幼苗活性氧代谢的影响

以国际上通用的栽培大豆品种Lee68(耐盐性较强)和非盐生野大豆N23232种群(耐盐性较弱)为参照材料,研究了在低盐(150mmol·L-1NaCl)和高盐(300mmol·L-1NaCl)胁迫下,盐生野大豆BB52种群幼苗体内的O-·2水平和MDA含量,活性氧清除酶系统中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)等酶活性,以及抗坏血酸(AsA)、类胡萝卜素(Car)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)等活性氧清除物质含量的变化。结果表明,在150和300mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫2d时,盐生野大豆BB52种群幼苗根和叶中的O-·2产生速率下降,SOD活性上升,其中叶片表现明显,且叶中APX活性也有增加。在不同浓度NaCl胁迫下,根中MDA含量均未见明显上升,叶片中略有增加。叶中AsA、Car和GSH含量均上升,且升幅相对较大。     

甘蓝型油菜苗期生长阶段对NaCl胁迫的生理响应

以甘蓝型油菜自交系2205(强耐盐型)、487(中耐盐型)和1423(敏盐型)为材料,采用土培+水培方法于五叶期研究了0(无盐胁迫,CK)、60 mmol·L-1(低盐)、120 mmol·L-1(中低盐)、180 mmol·L-1(中盐)、240mmol·L-1(高盐)NaCl胁迫后的叶片MDA、可溶性糖、甜菜碱和叶绿素含量的变化特征,为油菜耐盐性评价提供理论依据。结果显示:(1)叶片MDA含量在低盐和中低盐胁迫下降低且显著低于CK,在中盐和高盐胁迫下显著升高,并以品系2205含量最低且升幅最小,品系1423最高且升幅最大。(2)叶片可溶性糖含量在低盐和中低盐胁迫下减少(但2205在中低盐胁迫下显著高于CK),在中盐和高盐胁迫下升高且显著高于CK,并以品系2205含量最高增幅最大且显著高于品系487和1423,品系1423含量最低且增幅最小。(3)叶片甜菜碱含量随NaCl浓度升高增加,品系2205和487在中低以上盐浓度胁迫下显著升高,品系1423仅在高盐胁迫下显著升高,并以品系2205含量最高且增幅最大,1423含量最低且增幅最小。(4)叶片叶绿素含量在低盐和中低盐胁迫下显著增加,且以2205叶片叶绿素含量最高且增幅最大,但在中盐和高盐胁迫下显著减少,并以品系1423含量最低且降幅最高。研究表明,120mmol·L-1以下NaCl胁迫对油菜苗期生长可能有促进作用,180mmol·L-1以上NaCl胁迫则有明显抑制作用,且NaCl浓度越高油菜受伤害越重;油菜苗期生长阶段,NaCl胁迫浓度在120~180mmol·L-1时各生理指标发生显著变化,可能是鉴定耐盐性强弱的适宜浓度;综合分析认为,品系2205具有强的耐盐性,品系1423耐盐性最差,这与之前萌芽期和幼苗期鉴定结果一致。     

盐胁迫对4个水稻种质抗逆性生理的影响

为筛选水稻(Oryza sativa)耐盐种质资源,研究了水稻耐盐相关生理指标。结果表明,盐胁迫下,耐盐种质Pokkali、Fl478、JX99的电导率较低,细胞膜透性较小,叶片叶绿素含量较高,受盐害程度较弱。盐胁迫促进了丙二醛的大量积累,加剧了细胞膜脂过氧化程度,而耐盐种质的丙二醛积累较少,但高盐胁迫下3个耐盐种质的丙二醛含量升高,破坏了细胞膜的完整性。感盐种质R29的临界饱和亏的增幅较大,耐盐种质相对含水量降幅小。应用模糊隶属函数法综合评价,4个水稻种质的耐盐性依次为JX99PokkaliFL478IR29。     

施盐和磷对台湾相思幼苗光合作用及养分特征的影响

为探究施盐和磷对重要海防林树种台湾相思幼苗叶光合作用与养分特征的影响，该研究设置0%(B₀)、0.2%(B₁)、0.4%(B₂)、0.6%(B₃)、0.8%(B₄)的NaCl溶液和0 (P₀)、0.5 (P₁)、1.5 (P₂)g·kg^-1 3个供磷水平的过磷酸钙磷肥，在此基础上设置盐磷6个耦合处理，测定幼苗光合作用和养分特征指标。结果表明：(1)盐胁迫显著抑制台湾相思幼苗的生长发育，盐含量越高影响程度越大；低盐施磷对台湾相思幼苗生长不利，中高盐施磷显著减缓盐对幼苗生长的抑制作用。(2)台湾相思幼苗光合作用受盐胁迫影响显著；中低盐施磷后气孔关闭程度上升会加剧盐胁迫对幼苗光合作用的影响，高盐适当施磷可显著提高台湾相思幼苗光合能力。(3)盐胁迫显著降低叶绿素含量且对光系统Ⅱ造成危害；低盐胁迫施磷对台湾相思幼苗叶绿素合成不利，高盐适当施磷可以提高叶绿素合成量、稳定细胞膜结构以及提高叶片潜在光合能力...     

QTLs for Na<Superscript>+</Superscript> and K<Superscript>+</Superscript> uptake of the shoots and roots controlling rice salt tolerance

An F₂ and an equivalent F₃ population derived from a cross between a high salt-tolerance indica variety, Nona Bokra, and a susceptible elite japonica variety, Koshihikari, were produced. We performed QTL mapping for physiological traits related to rice salt-tolerance. Three QTLs for survival days of seedlings (SDSs) under salt stress were detected on chromosomes 1, 6 and 7, respectively, and explained 13.9% to 18.0% of the total phenotypic variance. Based on the correlations between SDSs and other physiological traits, it was considered that damage of leaves was attributed to accumulation of Na⁺ in the shoot by transport of Na⁺ from the root to the shoot in external high concentration. We found eight QTLs including three for three traits of the shoots, and five for four traits of the roots at five chromosomal regions, controlled complex physiological traits related to rice salt-tolerance under salt stress. Of these QTLs, the two major QTLs with the very large effect, qSNC-7 for shoot Na⁺ concentration and qSKC-1 for shoot K⁺ concentration, explained 48.5% and 40.1% of the total phenotypic variance, respectively. The QTLs detected between the shoots and the roots almost did not share the same map locations, suggesting that the genes controlling the transport of Na⁺ and K⁺ between the shoots and the roots may be different.     

Bottle gourd rootstock-grafting affects nitrogen metabolism in NaCl-stressed watermelon leaves and enhances short-term salt tolerance

The plant growth, nitrogen absorption, and assimilation in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus [Thunb.] Mansf.) were investigated in self-grafted and grafted seedlings using the salt-tolerant bottle gourd rootstock Chaofeng Kangshengwang (Lagenaria siceraria Standl.) exposed to 100 mM NaCl for 3 d. The biomass and NO₃⁻ uptake rate were significantly increased by rootstock while these values were remarkably decreased by salt stress. However, compared with self-grafted plants, rootstock-grafted plants showed higher salt tolerance with higher biomass and NO₃⁻ uptake rate under salt stress. Salinity induced strong accumulation of nitrate, ammonium and protein contents and a significant decrease of nitrogen content and the activities of nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR), glutamine synthetase (GS), and glutamate synthase (GOGAT) in leaves of self-grafted seedlings. In contrast, salt stress caused a remarkable decrease in nitrate content and the activities of GS and GOGAT, and a significant increase of ammonium, protein, and nitrogen contents and NR activity, in leaves of rootstock-grafted seedlings. Compared with that of self-grafted seedlings, the ammonium content in leaves of rootstock-grafted seedlings was much lower under salt stress. Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity was notably enhanced in leaves of rootstock-grafted seedlings, whereas it was significantly inhibited in leaves of self-grafted seedlings, under salinity stress. Three GDH isozymes were isolated by native gel electrophoresis and their expressions were greatly enhanced in leaves of rootstock-grafted seedlings than those of self-grafted seedlings under both normal and salt-stress conditions. These results indicated that the salt tolerance of rootstock-grafted seedlings might (be enhanced) owing to the higher nitrogen absorption and the higher activities of enzymes for nitrogen assimilation induced by the rootstock. Furthermore, the detoxification of ammonium by GDH when the GS/GOGAT pathway was inhibited under salt stress might play an important role in the release of salt stress in rootstock-grafted seedlings.     

Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics and Response Patterns of Salinity Stress Responsive Genes (SSRGs) in Wild Quinoa (<i>Chenopodium quinoa</i> L.)

Cultivating salt-tolerant crops is a feasible way to effectively utilize saline-alkali land and solve the problem of underutilization of saline soils. Quinoa, a protein-comprehensive cereal in the plant kingdom, is an exceptional crop in terms of salt stress tolerance level. It seems an excellent model for the exploration of salt-tolerance mechanisms and cultivation of salt-tolerant germplasms. In this study, the seeds and seedlings of the quinoa cultivar Shelly were treated with different concentrations of NaCl solution. The physiological, biochemical characteristics and agronomic traits were investigated, and the response patterns of three salt stress-responsive genes (SSRGs) in quinoa were determined by real-time PCR. The optimum level of stress tolerance of quinoa cultivar Shelly was found in the range of 250–350 mM concentration of NaCl. Salt stress significantly induced expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and particularly betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH). BADH was discovered to be more sensitive to salt stress and played an important role in the salt stress tolerance of quinoa seedlings, particularly at high NaCl concentrations, as it displayed upregulation until 24 h under 100 mM salt treatment. Moreover, it showed upregulation until 12 h under 250 mM salt stress. Taken together, these results suggest that BADH played an essential role in the salt-tolerance mechanism of quinoa. Based on the expression level and prompt response induced by NaCl, we suggest that the BADH can be considered as a molecular marker for screening salt-tolerant quinoa germplasm at the early stages of crop development. Salt treatment at different plant ontogeny or at different concentrations had a significant impact on quinoa growth. Therefore, an appropriate treatment approach needs to be chosen rationally in the process of screening salt-tolerant quinoa germplasm, which is useful to the utilization of saline soils. Our study provides a fundamental information to deepen knowledge of the salt tolerance mechanism of quinoa for the development of salt-tolerant germplasm in crop breeding programs.     

Evaluation and Exploration of Favorable QTL Alleles for Salt Stress Related Traits in Cotton Cultivars (G. hirsutum L.)

Soil salinization is one of the major problems in global agricultural production. Cotton is a pioneer crop with regard to salt stress tolerance, and can be used for saline-alkali land improvement. The large-scale detection of salt tolerance traits in cotton accessions, and the identification of elite quantitative trait loci (QTLs)/genes for salt-tolerance have been very important in salt tolerance breeding. Here, 43 advanced salt-tolerant and 31 highly salt-sensitive cultivars were detected by analyzing ten salt tolerance related traits in 304 upland cotton cultivars. Among them, 11 advanced salt-tolerance and eight highly salt-sensitive cultivars were consistent with previously reported results. Association analysis of ten salt-tolerance related traits and 145 SSRs was performed, and a total of 95 significant associations were detected; 17, 41, and 37 of which were associated with germinative index, seedling stage physiological index, and four seedling stage biochemical indexes, respectively. Of these associations, 20 SSR loci were simultaneously associated with two or more traits. Furthermore, we detected 117 elite alleles associated with salt-tolerance traits, 4 of which were reported previously. Among these loci, 44 (37.60%) were rare alleles with a frequency of less than 5%, 6 only existed in advanced salt-tolerant cultivars, and 2 only in highly salt-sensitive cultivars. As a result, 13 advanced salt-tolerant cultivars were selected to assemble the optimal cross combinations by computer simulation for the development of salt-tolerant accessions. This study lays solid foundations for further improvements in cotton salt-tolerance by referencing elite germplasms, alleles associated with salt-tolerance traits, and optimal crosses.     

Evaluation of salt tolerance at the seedling stage in rice genotypes by growth performance, ion accumulation, proline and chlorophyll content

Aims

The objectives of this study were to evaluate salt tolerance level of rice genotypes using the well-established screening criteria; the salt injury score, survival percentage and ratio between Na⁺ and K⁺, as well as the contents of proline and chlorophyll, and to identify the relationship between salt tolerance and physiological characters.

Methods

One hundred and six rice genotypes were grown in hydroponic solutions subjected to salt stress and evaluated for salt tolerance ability and the physiological parameters. Multivariate cluster analysis was performed based on salinity tolerance scores (ST scores; score 1 being the most tolerant, score 9 the most sensitive), survival percentage and Na⁺/K⁺ ratio.

Results

ST scores based on salt injury symptoms were negatively correlated with survival percentage and chlorophyll concentration in the stressed seedlings but positively correlated with Na⁺/K⁺ ratio and proline content. Rice genotypes were classified into five salt tolerance groups: tolerant (T), moderately tolerant (MT), moderately sensitive (MS), sensitive (S) and highly sensitive (HS). The means of ST scores were significantly different among the five tolerance groups indicating that the ST score was the most reliable index for identifying salt tolerance. The means of Na⁺/K⁺ ratio and proline content in stressed seedlings were distinctively different between the extreme T and HS groups, but the means among the intermediate groups (MT, MS and S) were not significantly different. Chlorophyll content, on the other hand, was not related to the levels of salt tolerance.

Conclusions

In addition to the commonly used Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, proline content is suggested to be another useful criterion to differentiate salt-tolerant from salt-sensitive rice. This study also identified several Thai improved and local cultivars with the level of salt tolerance and physiological characters comparable to Pokkali, the standard salt-tolerant donor and may be utilized as alternative sources of salt tolerance alleles.     

Salt and genotype impact on antioxidative enzymes and lipid peroxidation in two rice cultivars during de-etiolation

Crop yield is severely affected by soil salinity, as salt levels that are harmful to plant growth occur in large terrestrial areas of the world. The present investigation describes the studies of enzymatic activities, in-gel assays, gene expression of some of the major antioxidative enzymes, tocopherol accumulation, lipid peroxidation, ascorbate and dehydroascorbate contents in a salt-sensitive rice genotype PB1, and a relatively salt-tolerant cultivar CSR10 in response to 200 mM NaCl. Salt solution was added to the roots of hydroponically grown 5-day-old etiolated rice seedlings, 12 h prior to transfer to cool white fluorescent?+?incandescent light (100 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1). Total tocopherol and ascorbate contents declined in salt-stressed rice seedlings. Among antioxidative enzymes, an increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11), glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2), and their gene expression was observed in both cultivars in response to salt stress. The salt-tolerant cultivar CSR10 resisted stress due to its early preparedness to combat oxidative stress via upregulation of gene expression and enzymatic activities of antioxidative enzymes and a higher redox status of the antioxidant ascorbate even in a non-stressed environment.     

Amelioration of salinity stress by exogenously applied spermidine or spermine in three varieties of indica rice differing in their level of salt tolerance

We present here the comparative protective potentiality of exogenously applied polyamines (PAs), namely spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm), in mitigating NaCl toxicity and inducing short-term salinity tolerance in three indica rice varieties, namely M-1-48 (salt-sensitive), Nonabokra (salt-tolerant) and Gobindobhog (highly sensitive). The retardation in root length or shoot length and toxic Na⁺ accumulation or K⁺ loss, the considerable increment in malondialdehyde/H₂O₂ accumulation or lipoxygenase activity, all of which were particularly noteworthy in M-1-48 and Gobindobhog during salinity stress, was appreciably reduced by co-treatment with Spd or Spm. Both the PAs also inhibited the extent of salt-induced protein carbonylation in all the varieties and enhanced protease activity, especially in Gobindobhog. The prevention of chlorophyll degradation was better with Spd in Nonabokra and Gobindobhog. While the salt-induced increase in anthocyanin or reducing sugar level was further prompted by Spd or Spm in all the varieties, the proline content was elevated by Spd particularly in Gobindobhog. During salinity stress, both the PAs were effective in lowering the putrescine accumulation in M-1-48 and Gobindobhog, and strikingly increasing the Spm level in all the varieties, the highest being in Gobindobhog. In addition, they enhanced the activity of peroxidases and compensated for the decreased catalase activity in all the varieties. Thus the two PAs could recuperate all the three varieties from salt-induced damages to different degrees. The salt injuries, encountered in M-1-48 and Gobindobhog, both of which showed greater susceptibility to salinity stress, were more pronouncedly alleviated and counteracted by the PAs, than the salt-tolerant Nonabokra. The reversal of inhibitory effect of salinity stress was conferred by preventing growth inhibition or various forms of cellular damages, maintaining proper K⁺/Na⁺ balance or triggering the level of osmolytes and activity of antioxidant enzymes. Our communication offers a referenced evidence for an understanding of the mechanism by which higher PAs relieve the damages particularly in salt-sensitive rice varieties.