Salt tolerance in Aster tripolium L. III. Na and K fluxes in intact seedlings

Abstract Uptake and transport of Na and K was studied using the radioactive tracers ²²Na and ⁴²K in intact Aster tripolium L. seedlings grown at two salinities CS 10 and CS 100, (containing 10mol m^?1 and 100 mol m^?3 Na, respectively, together with other major ions in the proportions found in sea water). At both salinities a much greater proportion of the Na than K taken up by the plant was subsequently transported to the shoot. Most ⁴²K fluxes were reduced by about 40% in CS 100 plants relative to CS 10 except root accumulation which increased. Experiments involving changing the salinity from CS 10 to CS 100 showed that ⁴²K fluxes remained constant for at least 40 h, indicating that competition with Na for uptake sites was not the cause of the reduced flux in CS 100 plants. ²²Na fluxes responded immediately to a change in salinity with all fluxes increasing six-fold when the salinity was raised. When the salinity was lowered, however, root accumulation returned to the level in CS 10 control plants whereas transport to the shoot was inhibited by the previous high salinity treatment, being reduced to only 35% of the rate in CS 10 plants. The time courses of osmotic adjustment and Na accumulation following an increase in salinity were found to be very similar, with sufficient Na being accumulated to account for the observed increase in sap osmotic pressure.     

Effect of Exogenous ABA on the Salt Tolerance of Corn Seedlings Under Salt Stress

The exogenous ABA in different concentrations was used to spray Zea mays L. (cv. Luyu 11) seedlings under different salinity. The growth status, osomotic potential and osmotic regulatory activity, the contents of Na+ and K+, soluble sugars and proline were determined at different time after treatment. The results were shown as follows: The exogenous ABA gave an increase in salt resistance and dry weight of corn seedlings under different salinity, this increase was as a result of inhanced osmotic adjustment activity and exclusion of sodium ions from the shoot through the action of exogenous ABA, resulting an accumulation of sodium in the roots. Moreover, the decrease of osmotic potential and the increase of osmotic regulatory activity were for reasons of enhancement of organic osmotors, instead inorganic, e.g. Na+ and K+ osmotors. The mechanism of sodium exclusion from the shoot was also discussed.     

Osmotic regulation in the marine alga, Codium decorticatum. I. Regulation of turgor pressure by control of ionic composition.

Codium decorticatum regulates its internal ionic composition and osmotic pressure in response to changes in external salinity. Over a salinity range of 23 to 37% (675 to 1120 mosmol/kg) Codium maintains a constant turgor pressure of 95 mosmol/kg (2.3 atm), observed as a constant difference between internal and external osmotic pressures. The changes in internal osmotic pressure are due to changes in intracellular inorganic ions. At 30 0/00 salinity the major intracellular ions are present in the following concentrations (mmol/kg cell H20): K+, 295; Na+, 255; Cl-, 450. At different salinities intracellular ion concentrations remain in constant proportion to the external ion concentrations, and thus the equilibrium potentials are approximately constant. The potential difference between the vacuole and seawater (-76 mV), whici is predominantly a K+ diffusion potential, is also constant with changing salinity. Comparison of the equilibrium potentials with the vacuole potential suggests that Cl- is actively absorbed and Na+ actively extruded, whereas K+ may be passively distributed between the vacuole and seawater. Turgor pressure does not change with environmental hydrostatic pressure, and increasing the external osmotic pressure with raffinose elicits a response similar to that obtained by increasing the salinity. These two results suggest that the stimulus for turgor regulation is a change in turgor pressure rather than a change in internal hydrostatic pressure or ion concentrations.     

Salt-stress effects on avocado rootstock growth. I. Establishing criteria for determination of shoot growth sensitivity to the stress

The mechanisms of shoot growth inhibition under salt-stress are not yet understood. Comparative evaluation of growth tolerance level of plant material used for mechanistic studies into stress effect on growth processes is a critical step towards establishing a plant model system for studies of stress effects on growth.In the present study, numerous vegetative shoot-growth parameters were evaluated as criteria for determination of shoot growth sensitivity of avocado rootstocks (Persea americana Mill.) to salt-stress. Seven different West-Indian rootstocks were investigated for their growth response to the stress. The plants, grown in 50 L soil-filled containers, were treated with 4 mM Na and 6 mM Cl (control) or 18 mM Na and 20 mM Cl (salt) for a period of 3 years. Changes in trunk diameter, branch diameter, number of new branches, branch fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW), leaf length, leaf area, leaf number, leaf FW and DW and distribution of the leaf population into size classes, were quantified during the season of rapid shoot growth, and used for grading growth sensitivity.The seven rootstocks studied were ranked according to the sensitivity of their vegetative growth to the stress. The order of sensitivity was found to be similar when the ranking was based on changes in DW and FW deposition per branch, cumulative leaf area and leaf weight per branch, or branch stem weight. Stress effects on leaf FW deposition were similar to the effect on total branch FW. Stress effects on branch stem FW were closely related to total branch DW deposition. Inhibition of cumulative leaf area per branch was less sensitive to the stress than deposition of FW or DW biomass. Biomass production per branch, or alternatively leaf biomass production per branch, is suggested as a practical parameter for evaluation of avocado rootstock shoot growth sensitivity to salt-stress.     

Abscisic acid and osmotic relations in Phaseolus vulgaris L. Shoots under salt stress

The exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA) to well-watered plants may be of interest in imitating the effects of salinity on shoot growth. In this paper we have determined the time course of ABA accumulation in control and salt-stressed Phaseolus vulgaris plants and its possible relation to the accumulation of solutes and other physiologic conditions. The effect on shoot parameters of the application of exogenous ABA to the root system has also been checked. The addition of exogenous ABA to control plants caused a retardation of growth. The amount of ABA applied to the growth medium caused tissue ABA concentrations to become close to those of salinized plants. The addition of exogenous ABA to plants under control conditions resulted in a profile of proline and total sugar accumulation very similar to that observed in salinized plants. It was also found that NaCl treatment decreased the stomatal conductance and transpiration rate of leaves as well as the osmotic and turgor potentials. The addition of exogenous ABA also mimicked these responses, resulting in qualitatively and quantitatively similar results. These results, particularly those showing that the early transient rise in ABA upon exposure to NaCl coincides with the period of proline and total sugar accumulation, and that treatment of plants with exogenous ABA mimics these effects, are discussed around the idea that ABA stimulates the cellular processes of osmotic adjustment in P. vulgaris.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - DW dry weight - FW fresh weight.     

Nutrient uptake and management under saline conditions in the xerohalophyte: Tecticornia indica (Willd.) subsp. indica

In the present investigation, we studied uptake and management of the major cations in the xerohalophyte, Tecticornia indica (Willd.) subsp. indica as subjected to salinity. Plants were grown under greenhouse conditions at various salinity levels (0, 100, 200 and 400 mM NaCl) over 110 days. At harvest, they were separated into shoots and roots then analyzed for water contents, dry weights (DW), and Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ contents. Plants showed a growth optimum at 200 mM NaCl and much better tissue hydration under saline than non-saline conditions. At this salt concentration (200 mM NaCl), shoot Na+ content reached its highest value (7.9 mmol · g-?1 DW). In spite of such stressful conditions, salt-treated plants maintained adequate K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ status even under severe saline conditions. This was mainly due to their aptitude to selectively acquire these essential cations and efficiently use them for biomass production.     

Unraveling salinity stress responses in ancestral and neglected wheat species at early growth stage: A baseline for utilization in future wheat improvement programs

In this study, we analyzed the behavior of several neglected, ancestral, and domesticated wheat genotypes, including Ae. triuncialis, Ae. neglecta, Ae. caudata, Ae. umbellulata, Ae. tauschii, Ae. speltoides, T. boeoticum, T. urartu, T. durum, and T. aestivum under control and salinity stress to assess the mechanisms involved in salinity tolerance. Physiological and biochemical traits including root/shoot biomasses, root/shoot ion concentrations, activity of antioxidant enzymes APX, SOD, and GXP, and the relative expression of TaHKT1;5, TaSOS1, APX, GXP, and MnSOD genes were measured. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant effects of the salinity treatments and genotypes for all evaluated traits. Salinity stress (350 mM NaCl) significantly decreased root/shoot biomasses, K+ concentration in root/shoot, and root/shoot K+/Na+ ratios. In contrast, salinity stress significantly increased Na+ concentration in root and shoot, activity of antioxidant enzymes (APX, SOD, and GPX) and relative expression of salt tolerance-related genes (TaHKT1;5, TaSOS1, APX, GPX, and MnSOD). Based on heat map and principal component analysis, the relationships among physiological traits and relative expression of salt-responsive genes were investigated. Remarkably, we observed a significant association between the relative expression of TaHKT1;5 with root K+ concentration and K+/Na+ ratio and with TaSOS1. Taken together, our study revealed that two neglected (Ae. triuncialis) and ancestral (Ae. tauschii) wheat genotypes responded better to salinity stress than other genotypes. Further molecular tasks are therefore essential to specify the pathways linked with salinity tolerance in these genotypes.     

Morphological and physio-biochemical characterization of Brassica juncea L. Czern. & Coss. genotypes under salt stress

Abstract

Soil salinity is one of the major factors responsible for the low productivity of crop plants and has become an increasing threat for agriculture. In this context, the selection of tolerant genotype/s may be one of the remedies. Keeping this in view, the effect of NaCl (0–120 mM) stress on shoot length (SL) plant^?1, area (A) leaf^?1, leaf area index (LAI), fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW) plant^?1, stomatal conductance (g_s), net photosynthetic rate (P _N), total chlorophyll (Chl) content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, sensitivity rate index (SRI), leaf- nitrogen (N), potassium (K) and sodium (Na) content, leaf-K/Na ratio, nitrate reductase (NR: EC.1.6.6.1) and ATP-sulphurylase (ATP-S: EC.2.7.7.4) activities and proline (Pro) and glycinebetaine (GB) content of ten genotypes of Brassica juncea L. was studied at 55 and 65 days after sowing (DAS). NaCl treatments decreased all the above parameters, except Pro, GB, MDA, Na and SRI at both stages. Salt stress resulted in accumulation of Pro and GB, in all genotypes. The magnitude of increase in both osmolytes (Pro and GB) was higher in genotype G₈ than the other genotypes. Salt stress increased MDA and Na content while it decreased Chl, N and K content and K/Na ratio, Chl content, NR and ATP-S activities in all genotypes. But the magnitude of increase in MDA and Na content and decrease in SL plant^?1, A leaf^?1, LAI, P _N, g_s, Chl content and NR and ATP-S activities in genotype G₈ was more than that of other genotypes. These results suggest that the salt-tolerant genotype may have better osmotic adjustment and protection from free radicals by increasing the accumulation of Pro and GB content with overproduction of N and K and higher K/Na, NR and ATP-S activities under salinity stress.     

盐胁迫下外源ABA对玉米幼苗耐盐性的影响

利用不同浓度外源ＡＢＡ 可以提高生长在盐渍条件下玉米（Ｚｅａ ｍ ａｙｓ Ｌ．）幼苗的耐盐能力,增加幼苗的干重。其原因是由于幼苗渗透势的降低和渗透调节能力的增大,地上部分拒盐能力的提高,摄取的大量Ｎａ＋ 积累在根部。同时发现外源ＡＢＡ 增大幼苗渗透势和渗透调节能力是幼苗有机渗透物质增加的结果。讨论了玉米地上部分拒盐的机理     

能源植物杂交狼尾草对NaCl胁迫的响应及其耐盐阈值

以能源植物杂交狼尾草(Pennisetum americanum × P. purpureum)为实验材料, 用沙培盆栽的方法, 分别用0、0.3%、0.5%、0.9%和1.2%的NaCl处理4周后, 测定植株鲜重、干重、含水量、株高、分蘖数和不同部位的离子含量, 以确定其耐盐阈值和耐盐方式。结果表明, 随着NaCl浓度的增加, 杂交狼尾草的鲜重、干重、株高和分蘖数都显著降低, 地上部分鲜重和干重分别在NaCl浓度为0.568%和0.570%时下降了50%, 1.2% NaCl处理的杂交狼尾草几乎全部死掉。表明杂交狼尾草的耐盐阈值为0.57%; 但植株含水量和功能叶的Na⁺含量变化不明显, 老叶Na⁺含量在NaCl浓度为0.9%时明显升高, 是对照的2倍; 随NaCl浓度的升高, 根中的Na⁺含量显著升高, 在NaCl浓度为0.9%时, 根中的Na⁺含量达到对照的3倍以上。Na⁺含量在功能叶, 老叶和根中含量依次升高; 随NaCl浓度的升高, 地上部分和根中的K⁺含量都无明显变化; 随NaCl浓度的升高, 根中的Na⁺/K⁺明显增加, 而地上部分Na⁺/K⁺只有当NaCl浓度为0.9%时明显增加。以上结果表明杂交狼尾草具有一定的耐盐性, 其耐盐方式为拒盐, 耐盐阈值为0.57% (约100 mmol·L^-1)。     

Osmoregulatory strategies in natural populations of the black-chinned tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron exposed to extreme salinities in West African estuaries

The effect of salinity was studied in natural populations of the black-chinned tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron) from West Africa. This euryhaline species colonizes nearly all coastal environments from bays to lagoons characterized by salinities ranging from fresh water to hypersaline water over 100 ‰. Individuals were sampled during the dry season at several locations characterized by different levels of salinity (3-102 ‰). Their osmotic status and their gills were analyzed. The branchial mitochondria-rich cells (MRC), localized at the basis of the filaments and along the lamellae in fish taken from the saline stations, showed a wide plasticity with significant differences in their number and size. The most striking results were a significant larger area (≈3x) and a higher number (≈55x) of MRC at high salinity (102 ‰) compared to low salinity (3 ‰). The major ion transporters and channels were localized by immunocytochemistry and different expression patterns have been recorded between stations. Despite an increased Na?/K?-ATPase (NKA) α-subunit expression and NKA activity, pointing to an increased monovalent ion excretion, a severe osmotic imbalance was recorded in animals living in hypersaline environments.     

不同浓度海水胁迫对菊芋幼苗生长发育及磷吸收的影响

种植抗盐耐海水植物是合理利用和开发海涂资源的有效措施之一。本试验通过不同浓度海水处理研究菊芋幼苗生长发育及对³²P吸收利用差异和离子吸收分布的情况。结果表明:在不同浓度海水浇灌下,菊芋地上部、地下部、总鲜重及干物质重从CK到50%海水浓度没有明显变化,在75%海水胁迫下显著下降,干物质百分比则为75%海水浇灌的最高;在中等P水平下,地上部在25%海水处理下对³²P吸收率最高;随海水浓度增高菊芋幼苗地上部单位干重积累的Na⁺和Cl^-依次增大;而K⁺与Na⁺积累情况不同,K⁺在25%海水胁迫下地上部单位干重积累的最多,其次是50%,CK和75%海水胁迫差不多;地下部单位干重积累的Na⁺、Cl^-和K⁺情况与地上部单位干重积累的各离子趋势相似。     

Na-Ca interactions in barley seedlings: relationship to ion transport and growth

Abstract Salt-stressed plants often show Ca deficiency symptoms. The effects of NaCl salinity (1 to 150 mol m^-3) and supplemental Ca (10 mol m^-3) on Na and Ca transport in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and their relationship to growth were investigated. The adjustment of Na and Ca transport was investigated by examining young seedlings exposed to short-term (immediate) and long-term (7 d) exposure to salinity. When the plants were exposed to long-term treatments of salinity, the rate of sodium accumulation in roots was approximately 10 to 15% of short-term treatments. No significant adjustment in the transport to the shoot was observed. Rates of tracer (²²Na) transport were compared to calculated rates based on relative growth rates and tissue element concentrations. Comparisons between measured tracer and calculated rates of transport indicate that ²²Na transport may underestimate transport to the shoot because of dilution of the tracer in the root cytoplasm. Calcium uptake showed only minor adjustment with time. Measured rates of tracer transport to the shoot correlated well with calculated values. The transport and tissue concentrations of Na were significantly affected by supplemental Ca. Calcium transport and tissue concentrations were markedly inhibited by salinity. Supplemental Ca increased Ca transport and accumulation at all NaCl treatments above that of control plants without supplemental Ca. Salinity inhibited plant growth at 150 mol m ^-3NaCl, but not at 75 mol m^-3. Supplemental Ca significantly improved root length but not fresh weight after 7d of salinity, although differences in fresh weight were detected after 9d. There were significant Na-Ca interactions with ion transport, ion accumulation, and growth. The effects of salinity on Na and Ca transport to the shoot do not appear to play a major role in shoot growth of barley.     

Genetic variability of NaCl tolerance in tomato

Cultivation of crops in soils with high salt (NaCl) content can affect plant development. We examined the morphological and physiological mechanisms of salt tolerance in tomato. The responses of 72 accessions of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) to salinity were compared by measuring shoot and root lengths, and fresh shoot and root weights relative to those of controls (plants grown in normal salt levels). All traits were reduced at the seedling stage when salinity levels were increased. The accession x salinity interaction was significant for all traits. Root length had higher heritability than other traits and was used as a selection criterion to identify salt-tolerant and -non-tolerant accessions. On the basis of root length, accessions LA2661, CLN2498A, CLN1621L, BL1176, 6233, and 17870 were considered to be more tolerant than accessions 17902, LO2875 and LO4360. The degree of salt tolerance was checked by analyzing K+ and Na+ concentrations and K+/Na+ ratio in tissues of plants treated with 10 and 15 dS/m salinity levels. Tolerance of these accessions to salinity was most associated with low accumulation of Na+ and higher K+/Na+ ratios.     

Physiological responses to hyper-saline waters in sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna)

We examined the ionoregulatory physiology and biochemistry of the teleost sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna), an inhabitant of salt marshes along the gulf coast, during exposure to hyper-saline waters (salinity range 35-95 ppt). Mollies were able to tightly control plasma Na(+) and Cl(-) concentrations and tissue water levels up to 65 ppt, but at higher salinities plasma ion levels began to rise and muscle water content dropped. Still, even at the highest salinity (90 ppt) plasma Na(+) and Cl(-) levels were only 32% and 39%, respectively, above levels at 35 ppt. Drinking rates at 60 ppt climbed 35%, while gut Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase (NAK) activity rose 70% and branchial NAK activity jumped 200%. The relatively small rise in drinking rate, in the face of a more than doubling of the osmotic gradient, suggests that a reduction in branchial water permeability significantly limited water loss and associated salt load. At 80 ppt, a salinity where plasma ion levels just begin to rise, drinking rate rose more rapidly, but gut and gill NAK activity did not, suggesting that mollies employed other pathways (perhaps renal) of salt excretion. At higher salinities, plasma ion levels continued to rise and muscle water content fell slightly indicating the beginnings of internal osmotic disturbances. To evaluate the energetic costs of hyper-salinity on mollies we measured the rate of O(2) consumption and found it rose with salinity, in sharp contrast to virtually all species previously examined. Interestingly, despite higher metabolism, growth was unaffected by hyper-salinity.     

Effect of salinity on expression of branchial ion transporters in striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

The time course of osmoregulatory adjustments and expressional changes of three key ion transporters in the gill were investigated in the striped bass during salinity acclimations. In three experiments, fish were transferred from fresh water (FW) to seawater (SW), from SW to FW, and from 15-ppt brackish water (BW) to either FW or SW, respectively. Each transfer induced minor deflections in serum [Na+] and muscle water content, both being corrected rapidly (24 hr). Transfer from FW to SW increased gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity and Na+,K+,2Cl- co-transporter expression after 3 days. Abundance of Na+,K+-ATPase alpha-subunit mRNA and protein was unchanged. Changes in Na+,K+,2Cl- co-transporter protein were preceded by increased mRNA expression after 24 hr. Expression of V-type H+-ATPase mRNA decreased after 3 days. Transfer from SW to FW induced no change in expression of gill Na+,K+-ATPase. However, Na+,K+,2Cl- co-transporter mRNA and protein levels decreased after 24 hr and 7 days, respectively. Expression of H+-ATPase mRNA increased in response to FW after 7 days. In BW fish transferred to FW and SW, gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity was stimulated by both challenges, suggesting both a hyper- and a hypo-osmoregulatory response of the enzyme. Acclimation of striped bass to SW occurs on a rapid time scale. This seems partly to rely on the relative high abundance of gill Na+,K+-ATPase and Na+,K+,2Cl- co-transporter in FW fish. In a separate study, we found a smaller response to SW in expression of these ion transport proteins in striped bass when compared with the less euryhaline brown trout. In both FW and SW, NEM-sensitive gill H+-ATPase activity was negligible in striped bass and approximately 10-fold higher in brown trout. This suggests that in striped bass Na+-uptake in FW may rely more on a relatively high abundance/activity of Na+,K+-ATPase compared to trout, where H+-ATPase is critical for establishing a thermodynamically favorable gradient for Na+-uptake.     

Rapid modulation of gill Na+ + K+-dependent ATPase activity during acclimation of the killifish Fundulus heteroclitus to salinity change.

The enzymatic properties of membrane-bound Na+ + K+-ATPase from gills of killifish acclimated to fresh water, to 16% sea water, or to 30% sea water appear to be identical, indicating that the same enzyme may function to absorb Na+ in low salinities and excrete Na+ at the gills in high salinities. Ammonium ion is an effective substitute for K+: in the ATPase reaction itself, in blocking phosphorylation of the ATPase protein, and in inhibiting the binding of ouabain to the enzyme. The specific activities of the Na+ + K+-ATPase in the three different salinities are consistent with the expected Na+ pumping rates: higher in fresh water and 30% sea water than in 16% sea water. Within one-half hour after transfer of killifish from one salinity to another, gill Na+ + K+-ATPase activities reach equilibrium levels. The rapid increase in Na+ + K+-ATPase activity in gill microsomes of fish acclimating from fresh water to 30% sea water is accompanied by a slow decrease in the number of binding sites for ouabain, supporting the idea that acclimation to short-term salinity changes may involve modifications in the catalytic rate rather than the number of Na+ + K+-ATPase molecules.     

NaCl stress effects on enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation pathway in tomato "Lycopersicon esculentum" seedlings

Tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, cv. Chibli F1) grown for 10 days on control medium were exposed to differing concentrations of NaCl (0, 25, 50, and 100mM). Increasing salinity led to a decrease of dry weight (DW) production and protein contents in the leaves and roots. Conversely, the root to shoot (R/S) DW ratio was increased by salinity. Na(+) and Cl(-) accumulation were correlated with a decline of K(+) and NO(3)(-) in the leaves and roots. Under salinity, the activities of nitrate reductase (NR, EC 1.6.6.1) and glutamine synthetase (GS, EC 6.3.1.2) were repressed in the leaves, while they were enhanced in the roots. Nitrite reductase (NiR, EC 1.7.7.1) activity was decreased in both the leaves and roots. Deaminating activity of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH, EC 1.4.1.2) was inhibited, whereas the aminating function was significantly stimulated by salinity in the leaves and roots. At a high salt concentration, the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduced (NADH)-GDH activity was stimulated concomitantly with the increasing NH(4)(+) contents and proteolysis activity in the leaves and roots. With respect to salt stress, the distinct sensitivity of the enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation is discussed.     

Effect of salinity and temperature on germination, growth and ion relations of Panicum turgidum Forssk

Seed germination of Panicum turgidum was significantly affected by salinity levels, temperature and their interaction. Maximum germination was noted in the lowest saline media (25-50 mM) and distilled water at the temperature of 15-25 degrees C and 20-30 degrees C. Seeds germination was substantially delayed and reduced with an increase in NaCl to levels above 50mM. This trend was much pronounced under high levels of NaCl and incubation temperature. Low levels of NaCl (25-50 mM) stimulated shoot and root dry weights of P. turgidum seedlings. However, the highest NaCl levels (>100 mM) resulted in a significant decrease in shoot, root and total dry weights of seedlings. Intermediate degrees of temperature, 15-25 and 20-30 degrees C, resulted in a significant increase in biomass accumulation. The Na+ concentration in shoots and roots significantly increased as NaCl concentration increased. The K+ concentration in roots and K/Na ratio in shoots and roots was significantly reduced as salinity concentration increased. The K/Na ratio was greatly affected by higher NaCl concentration and incubation temperatures.     

Evidence that arbuscular mycorrhizal and phosphate-solubilizing fungi alleviate NaCl stress in the halophyte Kosteletzkya virginica: nutrient uptake and ion distribution within root tissues

The effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Glomus mosseae, and a phosphate-solubilizing microorganism (PSM), Mortierella sp., and their interactions, on nutrient (N, P and K) uptake and the ionic composition of different root tissues of the halophyte Kosteletzkya virginica (L.), cultured with or without NaCl, were evaluated. Plant biomass, AM colonization and PSM populations were also assessed. Salt stress adversely affected plant nutrient acquisition, especially root P and K, resulting in an important reduction in shoot dry biomass. Inoculation of the AM fungus or/and PSM strongly promoted AM colonization, PSM populations, plant dry biomass, root/shoot dry weight ratio and nutrient uptake by K. virginica, regardless of salinity level. Ion accumulation in root tissues was inhibited by salt stress. However, dual inoculation of the AM fungus and PSM significantly enhanced ion (e.g., Na⁺, Cl^?, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) accumulation in different root tissues, and maintained lower Na⁺/K⁺ and Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ ratios and a higher Na⁺/Ca²⁺ ratio, compared to non-inoculated plants under 100 mM NaCl conditions. Correlation coefficient analysis demonstrated that plant (shoot or root) dry biomass correlated positively with plant nutrient uptake and ion (e.g., Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cl^?) concentrations of different root tissues, and correlated negatively with Na⁺/K⁺ ratios in the epidermis and cortex. Simultaneously, root/shoot dry weight ratio correlated positively with Na⁺/Ca²⁺ ratios in most root tissues. These findings suggest that combined AM fungus and PSM inoculation alleviates the deleterious effects of salt on plant growth by enabling greater nutrient (e.g., P, N and K) absorption, higher accumulation of Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cl^? in different root tissues, and maintenance of lower root Na⁺/K⁺ and higher Na⁺/Ca²⁺ ratios when salinity is within acceptable limits.