不同生境盐地碱蓬出苗及幼苗抗盐性比较

研究了盐胁迫对不同生境盐地碱蓬出苗、幼苗生长、离子积累和荧光参数等的影响.盐地碱蓬种子具有二型性,即外种皮柔软而半透明的棕色种子和外种皮坚硬的黑色种子.两种生境盐地碱蓬棕色种子的出苗率均明显高于黑色种子.与黑色种子相比,潮间带生境盐地碱蓬棕色种子在高盐环境下的出苗速率和出苗率高于盐碱地生境盐地碱蓬.各处理盐分浓度下,潮间带生境盐地碱蓬叶片的最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)和地上部分生物量均低于盐碱地生境盐地碱蓬.高盐浓度下,潮间带生境盐地碱蓬叶片Na+和Cl-含量低于盐碱地生境盐地碱蓬.这些特征可能是盐地碱蓬长期适应不同生境的结果.     

盐生植物角果碱蓬种子二型性对环境的适应策略

角果碱蓬(Suaeda corniculata)是藜科一年生盐生植物, 在我国分布于北方盐碱滩涂和盐碱荒漠地区。角果碱蓬具有棕色和黑色两种异型体种子(简称棕色和黑色种子)。对采自内蒙古鄂托克前旗盐渍化生境的角果碱蓬二型种子的形态、休眠和萌发特性开展对比研究, 测定了二型种子休眠和萌发行为对温度、光照和盐分(NaCl)的响应, 以揭示盐生植物异型种子对温带盐漠生境的适应对策。结果表明: (1)二型性种子在大小、种皮特性和结实比例方面有显著差异。与黑色种子相比, 棕色种子个体较大, 种皮透水性强。黑色种子与棕色种子的结实比例约为5.6 : 1。(2)新成熟的棕色种子的萌发对各温度梯度和光照条件不敏感, 萌发率较高(84%-100%); 而新成熟的黑色种子萌发率较低(8%-78%), 萌发对光照敏感。(3)黑色种子具有浅度生理休眠, 种皮划破、赤霉素处理和低温层积均可有效地提高种子的萌发率。(4)二型种子萌发对土壤盐分的胁迫具有不同的响应。与黑色种子相比, 棕色种子对盐分胁迫不敏感, 在较高的盐分浓度下仍有较高的萌发率, 低温层积处理能够降低黑色种子对盐胁迫的敏感性, 有效地提高种子的初始萌发率、萌发恢复率和最终萌发率。角果碱蓬二型种子不同的形态、休眠和萌发特性, 提高了该物种在高度异质性生境中的适合度, 对种群成功地适应温带盐漠环境具有重要的意义。     

盐旱互作对不同生境盐地碱蓬种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

研究了盐旱互作对潮间带和盐碱地生境盐地碱蓬棕色种子萌发、地上部生长和离子积累的影响。不同盐浓度预处理后,未萌发的种子风干后复水,其萌发率与对照相比没有降低,说明两种生境盐地碱蓬种子萌发期间都耐干湿交替。400mmol/LNaCl溶液浇灌的潮间带生境盐地碱蓬幼苗在第3次干旱处理后萎蔫幼苗的百分比高于盐碱地生境的,而复水后正常幼苗的百分比却相反。400mmol/LNaCl溶液处理下,第3次干旱处理复水后,盐碱地生境盐地碱蓬幼苗地上部离子含量(主要是Na+和Cl-)高于潮间带生境的。表明在干旱情况下,盐碱地生境盐地碱蓬幼苗能积累更多的无机离子,降低渗透势,提高根系吸收水分的能力。上述结果说明,盐碱地生境盐地碱蓬幼苗较潮间带生境盐地碱蓬幼苗更耐盐与干旱的交互作用。     

NaCl胁迫对2种表型盐地碱蓬种子萌发的渗透效应和离子效应研究

采用高低2个浓度的NaCl、LiCl及等渗甘露醇溶液处理紫红色表型(紫色型)和绿色表型(绿色型)盐地碱蓬种子,通过测定它们的种子萌发率、吸胀速率和胚内离子含量,研究NaCl胁迫对2种表型种子萌发的离子效应和渗透效应.结果表明:(1)2种表型盐地碱蓬种子萌发率在高浓度(300 mmol/L)和低浓度(100 mmol/L)NaCl处理下均显著降低,紫色型种子萌发率在低浓度下显著低于绿色型,而在高浓度下却显著高于绿色型;绿色型种子萌发率在高浓度(30 mmol/L)和低浓度(10 mmol/L)LiCl处理下均未受到显著影响,但紫色型种子萌发率却均极显著降低;2种表型盐地碱蓬种子萌发率在低浓度等渗甘露醇处理下均极显著低于低浓度NaCl处理,而高浓度等渗甘露醇处理却均与高浓度NaCl处理无显著差异.(2)2表型种盐地碱蓬种子的吸胀速率在低浓度NaCl处理下没有受到显著影响,但高浓度NaCl处理及与之等渗的高浓度甘露醇处理下都显著降低,而且紫色型种子的吸胀速率在等渗甘露醇处理时显著高于绿色型.(3)2种表型盐地碱蓬种子胚中的Na 含量和Na /K 在对照和低浓度NaCl处理下无显著差异,但紫色型种子胚中的Na 、K 含量在高浓度NaCl处理时都显著高于对照,且K 含量增加的幅度远大于Na 含量,导致紫色型种子胚中的Na /K 显著低于绿色型.研究发现,盐地碱蓬种子萌发在低浓度NaCl胁迫下主要受离子效应抑制,而高浓度NaCl胁迫下则主要受渗透效应抑制,紫色型种子萌发率在高浓度NaCl胁迫下高于绿色型的原因之一是前者能维持更低的Na /K 比.     

不同温度及盐碱环境下盐地碱蓬的萌发策略

为了研究黄河三角洲优势种盐地碱蓬在不同胁迫环境条件下的萌发策略,分别在不同温度、盐度、碱度以及海水原溶液条件下,进行了室内萌发实验,并且测量了其幼苗体内的Na+和K+含量.结果表明,盐地碱蓬种子发芽所需要的积温和最低温度分别为24.57℃·d和0.62℃,最适发芽温度为20℃～35℃,在温度5℃～40℃下均表现出较高的发芽率而且5℃～35℃下发芽速度随温度升高而显著增加.盐地碱蓬具有较高的耐盐性,当盐浓度达到500 mmol·L-1时,发芽率均高于50%,并且在100%海水溶液浓度下发芽率也能达到38%,高盐条件下未萌发的种子转移到淡水中,均表现出较高的复萌率.盐地碱蓬幼苗体内Na+含量随盐度(NaCl溶液浓度)升高而显著增加,而K+含量在该盐度下差异不显著;幼苗体内Na+、K+含量在高碱度(200和300 mmol·L-1 NaHCO3)中均显著低于其在低碱度(100mmol·L-1NaHCO3溶液)中的含量,说明碱胁迫对幼苗生长产生了显著性影响;Na+、K+含量均随着海水溶液浓度增加而显著增加.因此,盐地碱蓬种子萌发的广温性、高耐盐性、高盐环境中的种子高存活率以及幼苗的较强的耐盐能力是盐地碱蓬种群在黄河三角洲适应滨海盐碱湿地复杂环境的主要生存策略.     

盐地碱蓬二型性种子的萌发和休眠及生态适应特性

二型性种子可能增强植物(尤其是盐生植物)应对难于预测环境变化的能力。该研究以运城盐湖盐地碱蓬(Suaeda salsa)二型性种子(黑色和棕色)为材料,采用室内观察和萌发方法对两种种子的形态、休眠和萌发特性进行比较,以揭示盐生植物二型性种子对盐渍化环境的适应对策。结果表明:(1)黑色种子体积小,种皮角质有光泽,而棕色种子体积大,种皮膜质无光泽。(2)新成熟的棕色种子在实验温度范围内萌发率均超过90%,而黑色种子仅在15/25℃下萌发最高(但低于85%),并且棕色种子萌发速度较黑色更快。(3)低盐(0.39mol/L)条件下,光照或黑暗对棕色种子萌发没有显著影响;高盐(0.39mol/L)条件下,棕色种子在黑暗中的萌发显著高于光照环境,而黑色种子在光照条件下的萌发率显著高于黑暗;所有温度和光照处理中,2种种子均随盐分浓度的升高而下降,但棕色种子在盐分浓度为0.78mol/L时萌发率仍能够达到30%以上,而黑色种子在盐分浓度大于0.59mol/L时几乎不萌发。(4)棕色种子为非休眠种子,而黑色种子具有非深度生理休眠特性;划破种皮、干储、低温层积和GA3处理均能够提高黑色种子的萌发率。研究发现,盐地碱蓬通过二型性种子休眠和萌发行为上的差异,采用"两头下注"对策提高其对盐渍化异质生境的适应性。     

盐胁迫下囊果碱蓬出苗状况及苗期抗盐性

研究了盐胁迫对囊果碱蓬出苗、幼苗生长、离子积累以及光合放氧速率的影响.囊果碱蓬生长的最适盐浓度在200 mmol/L NaCl左右.高浓度NaCl(400 mmol/L和600 mmol/L)没有显著降低其出苗率,200 mmol/L NaCl对出苗率具有促进作用.400 mmol/L和600 mmol/L NaCl显著降低了光合放氧速率.囊果碱蓬在高浓度NaCl处理下能够维持叶片较高的K+/Na+ 及含水量可能是其适应高盐生境的重要机制.     

异子蓬二型性种子的种皮结构及离子含量差异

异子蓬(Borszczowia aralocaspica)是中亚荒漠区系特有的一年生盐生植物,其种子具有二型性。通过检测异子蓬二型性种子中的生理生化物质以及观察种皮的结构,比较异子蓬二型性种子中营养物质、养分全量以及种皮结构的差异,结果表明:(1)异子蓬的棕色种子只有一层薄种皮,而黑色种子不但具有一层薄的内种皮还有一层坚硬致密的外种皮;(2)棕色种子的质量大、质量频数分布较为集中,并且吸水迅速,在吸水率较低时就能够大量萌发;(3)棕色种子的可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质、全氮、全磷以及K+、Na+、K+/Na+和Mg2+/Na+都显著高于黑色种子。说明在繁殖子代、产生二型性种子时,异子蓬对棕色种子和黑色种子之间的繁殖投入存在着巨大的差异,这可能是导致异子蓬二型性种子产生差异性萌发机制的重要原因。     

盐胁迫对不同生境盐地碱蓬光合及离子积累的影响

为了探讨盐地碱蓬(Suaeda salsa)适应不同生境的生理机制, 研究了盐处理(1、200和600 mmol·L^-1 NaCl)对盐碱地和潮间带两种生境盐地碱蓬地上部分及根系有机干重、叶片叶绿素含量及光合放氧速率、叶片和根中离子积累的影响。结果表明: 200 mmol·L^-1 NaCl对两种生境盐地碱蓬地上部分及根系的有机干重无显著影响, 说明两种生境盐地碱蓬均具有较强的抗盐性; NaCl处理显著降低了两种生境盐地碱蓬叶片的光合放氧速率; 各浓度NaCl处理下, 盐碱地生境盐地碱蓬叶片的光合放氧速率均高于潮间带生境的, 潮间带生境盐地碱蓬叶片中叶绿素a与叶绿素b的比值均高于盐碱地生境的; 各浓度NaCl处理下, 潮间带生境盐地碱蓬叶片中的Cl^-含量均低于盐碱地生境的; 与叶片中情况相反, 高盐处理下, 潮间带生境盐地碱蓬根中的Cl^-含量均高于盐碱地生境的。说明与盐碱地生境盐地碱蓬相比, 潮间带生境盐地碱蓬的根系可能对Cl^-具有较强的积累或限制其向地上部分运输的能力, 这些特征可能是盐地碱蓬适应不同生境的结果。     

钠盐和氯化物对真盐生植物盐地碱蓬营养生长的影响

200mmol·L~(-1)NaCl显著促进真盐生植物盐地碱蓬(Suaeda salsa)的营养生长,但具体是Na~+、Cl~-还是二者共同起作用尚不清楚。本文分别采用0、200mmol·L~(-1)NaCl以及相同浓度的钠盐(由NaNO_3、NaH_2PO_4、Na_2SO_4组成)、氯化物(由MgCl_2、KCl、CaCl_2、NH_4Cl组成)自种子播种开始处理盐地碱蓬,对植株的生物量、离子含量、光合和荧光等营养生长相关参数进行研究,结果表明:200mmol·L~(-1)NaCl和钠盐处理显著增加盐地碱蓬的株高、分枝数、干鲜重等,其中200mmol·L~(-1)钠盐处理的促进作用最显著;而200mmol·L~(-1)氯化物处理显著抑制了盐地碱蓬的营养生长,植物矮小,黄化严重。进一步研究发现NaCl和钠盐处理显著增加了盐地碱蓬叶片中叶绿素含量,提高了植株净光合速率;而同浓度氯化物处理降低了盐地碱蓬叶片中叶绿素含量,其净光合速率显著下降。以上结果表明:Na~+通过促进光合作用促进稀盐型盐生植物盐地碱蓬的营养生长,而Cl~-有抑制作用。     

Effect of salinity on germination,seedling emergence,seedling growth and ion accumulation of a euhalophyte Suaeda salsa in an intertidal zone and on saline inland

The effect of salinity on germination, seedling emergence, seedling growth and ion accumulation of a euhalophyte Suaeda salsa L. in an intertidal zone and on saline inland were investigated. Brown seeds of S. salsa were heavier and better developed than black seeds in both the intertidal zone and on saline inland. The brown seeds/black seeds ratio for S. salsa in the intertidal zone was much higher than that for S. salsa on saline inland. More germinated seeds grew as seedlings under high salinity for S. salsa from the intertidal zone than S. salsa on saline inland; high salinity decreased the shoot length more severely for S. salsa from saline inland than for S. salsa from the intertidal zone; the seedling growth at a range of NaCl, measured either as shoot length or shoot dry weight, for S. salsa from the intertidal zone was lower than that of S. salsa from saline inland. In conclusion, for S. salsa from the intertidal zone there appears to be selection for slower growth and producing more brown seeds. The establishment of populations of S. salsa in different saline environments depends on the responses of seed germination, seedling emergence and seedling growth to salinity. These characteristics may determine the natural distributions of S. salsa populations in different saline environments.     

Differential salt tolerance and similar responses to nitrogen availability in plants grown from dimorphic seeds of Suaeda salsa

Suaeda salsa is an annual halophyte which produces two morphologically distinct types of seeds on the same plant. The main purpose of this study was to investigate growth responses of S. salsa plants to different levels of NaCl and nitrate nitrogen, and its significance from the viewpoint of photosynthetic physiology. In a pot experiment, we sowed seeds belonging to the two morphs into a substrate with three salinity and three nutrient levels. Plants derived from brown seeds grew well at moderate salinity (300 mmol L⁻¹ NaCl). Shoot weight of plants from black seeds gradually decreased with the increase of salinity. Plants derived from both seed morphs had the same growth rates under similar nitrogen levels. Plant growth status was generally related to chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rates. Our study shows that plants grown from the two different seed morphs of S. salsa exhibit different salt tolerance, but have similar responses to nitrate nitrogen. This is the first report on different responses to salinity and nitrogen availability in plants with heteromorphic seeds.     

盐氮处理下盐地碱蓬种子成熟过程中的离子积累和种子萌发特性

研究了盐氮处理条件下盐地碱蓬种子成熟过程中的离子积累以及种子萌发特性,以理解盐地碱蓬在种子发育及萌发过程中对高盐低氮生境的适应性。结果表明,种子成熟过程中,不同浓度盐氮处理下(0.5和5 mmol/L NO₃^--N;1和500 mmol/L NaCl),与果皮和果枝相比, 胚中Na⁺、K⁺、Cl^- 和NO₃^-离子含量几乎没有变化。所有盐氮处理下Na⁺ 和Cl^-都是果皮和果枝中高于胚中,尤其是在高盐处理下。高盐处理下,K⁺ 和NO₃^-含量呈现相反的趋势。高氮时无论高盐还是低盐,果皮中NO₃^-离子含量高于胚中,而果枝中NO₃^-离子含量低于胚中。而低氮时果皮及果枝中NO₃^-离子含量均显著低于胚中。与高氮环境下收获的种子相比,低氮环境下收获的种子萌发率,萌发指数,活力指数都要明显高。上述结果说明,盐地碱蓬种子成熟过程中存在完善的离子调控机制,保护胚免受Na⁺ 和Cl^-等有害离子的伤害并且促进K⁺ 和NO₃^-等营养离子的积累。低NO₃^--N下收获的种子对外界的NO₃^-含量比较敏感,施以较高浓度的NO₃^-能够促进种子萌发,提高萌发指数和活力指数,可能与盐地碱蓬长期适应高盐低氮生境有关。     

Effects of salinity and nitrate on production and germination of dimorphic seeds applied both through the mother plant and exogenously during germination in Suaeda salsa

Salinity and nitrogen are two important environmental factors that affect the distribution of halophytes in their natural saline habitats. Seeds of the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa L. were harvested from plants that had been treated with 1 or 500 mm NaCl combined with 0.5 or 5 mm NO₃^?‐N (nitrate) for 115 days in a glasshouse. Germination was evaluated under different concentrations of NaCl and nitrate. Plants exposed to high salinity (500 mm ) and low nitrate (0.5 mm ) tended to produce heavy seeds. Either high salinity (500 mm ) or high nitrate (5 mm ) increased the brown/black seed ratio. The concentrations of Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl^? were higher in brown than in black seeds, and NO₃^? concentrations were higher in black than in brown seeds, regardless of NaCl and nitrate treatments during plant culture. Regardless of NaCl and nitrate concentrations during germination, seeds from plants grown with 0.5 mm nitrate generally germinated more rapidly than seeds from plants grown with 5 mm nitrate, and the difference was greater for black than for brown seeds. Exogenous nitrate during germination enhanced the germination of brown seeds less than that of black seeds. Producing more brown seeds and heavy black or brown seeds appears to be an adaptation of S. suaeda to saline environments. Producing more black seeds, which tend to remain dormant, should reduce competition for nitrogen and appears to be an adaptation to nitrogen‐limited environments. In conclusion, nitrate provided exogenously or by mother plants to black seeds may act as a signal molecule that enhances the germination of black S. suaeda seeds.     

The role of the seed coat in adaptation of dimorphic seeds of the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa to salinity

The role of the seed coat in adaptation of dimorphic seeds of the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa to salinity was investigated during germination and early seedling growth. Black and brown seeds were treated with chloroform for 1 min before the extract was used to analyze waxes and the seeds to investigate the protective role of the seed coat under saline conditions. Waxes in black seed coats were more abundant than those in brown seed coats. Salinity (500 mM NaCl) increased the concentration of Na⁺ and decreased the concentration of K⁺ in both black and brown seeds regardless of chloroform treatment. Chloroform treatment alone (in the absence of NaCl) had no effect on the concentration of Na⁺ or K⁺ in black or brown seeds and in the presence of 500 mM NaCl had no effect on the concentration of Na⁺ or K⁺ in brown seeds. However, chloroform treatment increased Na⁺ and decreased K⁺ in black seeds with 500 mM NaCl. A change of MDA (malondialdehyde) concentration in black and brown seeds treated with or without chloroform was similar to the change of Na⁺ concentration. High salinity (1500 mM NaCl) pretreatment for 40 days had a less adverse effect on germination of black seeds compared with brown seeds after they were transferred to fresh water regardless of chloroform treatment. Similar results were found for seedling emergence. In conclusion, a black seed coat may be more protective than a brown seed coat, probably by shielding the embryo from ion toxicity, because of its higher content of waxes. Thus black seeds can better maintain seed viability than brown seeds for extended periods under hypersaline conditions.     

Using euhalophytes to understand salt tolerance and to develop saline agriculture: Suaeda salsa as a promising model

Background As important components in saline agriculture, halophytes can help to provide food for a growing world population. In addition to being potential crops in their own right, halophytes are also potential sources of salt-resistance genes that might help plant breeders and molecular biologists increase the salt tolerance of conventional crop plants. One especially promising halophyte is Suaeda salsa, a euhalophytic herb that occurs both on inland saline soils and in the intertidal zone. The species produces dimorphic seeds: black seeds are sensitive to salinity and remain dormant in light under high salt concentrations, while brown seeds can germinate under high salinity (e.g. 600 mm NaCl) regardless of light. Consequently, the species is useful for studying the mechanisms by which dimorphic seeds are adapted to saline environments. S. salsa has succulent leaves and is highly salt tolerant (e.g. its optimal NaCl concentration for growth is 200 mm). A series of S. salsa genes related to salt tolerance have been cloned and their functions tested: these include SsNHX1, SsHKT1, SsAPX, SsCAT1, SsP5CS and SsBADH. The species is economically important because its fresh branches have high value as a vegetable, and its seed oil is edible and rich in unsaturated fatty acids. Because it can remove salts and heavy metals from saline soils, S. salsa can also be used in the restoration of salinized or contaminated saline land.Scope Because of its economic and ecological value in saline agriculture, S. salsa is one of the most important halophytes in China. In this review, the value of S. salsa as a source of food, medicine and forage is discussed. Its uses in the restoration of salinized or contaminated land and as a source of salt-resistance genes are also considered.     

Traits of fatty acid accumulation in dimorphic seeds of the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa in saline conditions

The mechanism on of how salinity affects seed fatty acids accumulation remains unclear in halophytes. The present results revealed that the content of total unsaturated fatty acids in black seeds was higher than in brown seeds in the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa under controlled saline conditions. Salinity (200?mM NaCl) significantly increased the total oil content, unsaturated acid/saturated acid ratio, and content of α-linolenic acid (C18:3) (ALA), especially in brown seeds. The most abundant fatty acid in dimorphic seeds is linoleic acid (C18:2) (>70%). It appears that more ALA accumulated in brown seeds compared to black seeds. The enzyme activity of omega-3 fatty acid desaturase (ω-3 FAD) in brown seeds was much higher than that in black seeds, but salinity had no significant effect on the activity of ω-3 FAD in both brown and black seeds. The relative expression of SsFAD7 was increased by salinity, and the value in brown seeds was much higher than that in black seeds. This means salinity can, salinity can improve the quantity of fatty acids in dimorphic seeds of S. salsa, and the enzyme of ω-3 FAD and SsFAD7 may involve in the accumulation of ALA in dimorphic seeds under salinity.     

NaCl胁迫下沙枣幼苗生长和阳离子吸收、运输与分配特性

沙枣(Elaeagnus angustifolia L.)耐盐性强,是我国北方生态脆弱地区造林绿化的一个先锋树种。为探讨沙枣的盐适应机制,研究了不同浓度NaCl(0、100和200 mmol/L)胁迫30d对其水培幼苗生物量累积以及不同组织(根、茎、叶)K+、Na+、Ca2+和Mg2+吸收、运输与分配的影响。结果表明:盐胁迫不同程度地促进了沙枣苗根系生长;100 mmol/L NaCl胁迫对幼苗生物量累积无明显影响,而200 mmol/L则显著抑制了生物量累积;盐胁迫幼苗根、茎、叶中Na+含量以及K+-Na+选择性运输系数(S K,Na)和Ca2+-Na+选择性运输系数(S Ca,Na)显著或大幅度增加,而K+、Ca2+、Mg2+含量以及K+/Na+、Ca2+/Na+和Mg2+/Na+比值则显著或大幅度下降;200 mmol/L NaCl胁迫沙枣根Na+含量和根Na+净累积量分别为22.15 mg/g干重和1.87 mg/株(是对照的16.20倍和20.06倍),根成为Na+净累积量增加幅度最大的组织和Na+含量最高的组织;200 mmol/L NaCl胁迫沙枣茎、叶中的Na+含量以及冠组织Na+净累积量分别高达5.15、7.71 mg/g干重和3.29 mg/株(是对照的7.22倍、9.58倍和5.45倍),但幼苗仍能正常生长。综合分析认为,沙枣的盐适应机制是根系拒盐和冠组织耐盐,主要通过根系的补偿生长效应、根系对Na+的聚积与限制作用以及冠组织对Na+的忍耐来实现的,同时也与根、茎和叶对K+、Ca2+选择性运输能力显著增强有关。     

The role of salinity in seed maturation of the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa

Controlled conditions were used to investigate how salinity maintains the salt tolerance of seeds and seedlings of the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa. Seeds were harvested from S. salsa plants that had been treated with 1 or 500 mM NaCl for 113 days in a glasshouse. The results showed that high salinity (500 mM NaCl) increased chlorophyll concentration and oxygen production in embryos of maturing seeds. At 500 mM NaCl, the phosphatidylglycerol and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol levels and the digalactosyldiacylglycerol/monogalactosyldiacylglycerol ratio were higher in young seedlings derived from seeds whose source plants were cultured in 500 mM rather than in 1 mM NaCl. When seeds were incubated with 600 mM NaCl, the conductivity and malondialdehyde concentration in the embryos was greater if the source plants had been cultured in 1 mM rather than in 500 mM NaCl. The opposite pattern was evident for seedling survival and shoot weight. In conclusion, salinity during seed maturation may increase the salt tolerance of seeds and seedlings by increasing the oxygen production in the embryos of the maturing seeds and by changing the lipid composition of membranes in the seedlings.     

Effect of NaCl on photosynthesis,salt accumulation and ion compartmentation in two mangrove species, Kandelia candel and Bruguiera gymnorhiza

In a 4-week study, we investigated the effects of increasing soil NaCl (100–400 mM) on photosynthesis, salt uptake and transport, and intracellular compartmentation of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in 1-year-old seedlings of Kandelia candel (L.) Druce and Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Savigny. Increasing NaCl stress significantly elevated Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in root and shoot tissues (stem + leaf) of both species, but B. gymnorhiza showed a rapid Na⁺ accumulation upon the initiation of salt stress and leaves contained 90% more Na⁺ and 40% more Cl⁻ than K. candel at the end of experiment. Net photosynthetic rate (Pn) declined with increasing salinity, and the most marked reduction occurred after exposure of mangrove seedlings to a severe salinity, 400 mM NaCl. However, the inhibitory effects of severe stress varied with species: Pn decreased by 80% in K. candel whereas in B. gymnorhiza the decline was 60%. The quantum yield (AQY) and carboxylation efficiency (CE) response to severe salinity showed a trend similar to Pn, in which a lesser reduction of AQY and CE was observed in B. gymnorhiza (33–35%), as compared to K. candel (43–52%). X-ray microanalysis of leaf mesophyll cells showed evidence of distinct vacuolar compartmentation of Na⁺ in K. candel but Cl⁻ in B. gymnorhiza after seedlings were subjected to 100 mM NaCl for 7 d. Moreover, Na⁺ within cell wall, cytoplasm, vacuole and chloroplast remained 23–72% lower in stressed B. gymnorhiza as compared to K. candel. In conclusion, B. gymnorhiza exhibited effective salt exclusion from chloroplasts although increasing salt stress caused a rapid and higher build up of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in the leaves. We suggest that the salt-induced Pn reduction in the two mangrove species is correlated with the ability to exclude Na⁺ and Cl⁻ from the chloroplast, rather than with the bulk leaf salt concentration.