高粱耐盐性评价方法研究及耐盐碱资源的筛选

用5.500 g/L盐水溶液对3～5叶期高粱幼苗进行处理,用幼苗相对成活率对568份高粱种质进行分级,结果显示:5%的种质具有3级以上的耐盐性。此法可以用来进行大量种质的苗期耐盐筛选。根据植株在不同含盐量的盐碱地上生长的性状差异,对成株期的高粱进行耐盐鉴定,利用处理间性状的差异及各性状与穗重和秆重的相关性构建一个耐盐指数来评价材料对盐碱的耐性,从而对18个高粱品种和品系进行了分级,以适合于盐碱地推广品种的筛选。     

高粱耐盐性评价方法研究及耐盐资源的筛选

本文用50mmol/L的配比盐水溶液对3-5叶期高粱幼苗进行处理,用幼苗相对成活率对568份高粱种质进行分级,结果显示：5%的种质具有3级以上的耐盐性。此法可以用来进行大量种质的苗期耐盐筛选。根据植株在不同含盐量的盐碱地上生长的性状差异,对成株期的高粱进行耐盐鉴定,利用处理间性状的差异及各性状与穗重和秆重的相关性构建一个耐盐指数来评价材料对盐碱的耐性,从而对18个高粱品种和品系进行了分级,适合于盐碱地推广品种的筛选。     

亚精胺浸种对番茄幼苗抗盐碱的生理特性研究

以番茄耐盐碱品种‘金鹏一号’和盐碱敏感品种‘中杂9号’为试验材料,采用营养液水培的方法,设置正常营养液栽培(对照CK)、100mmol/L盐碱溶液胁迫、100mmol/L盐碱溶液胁迫+0.1mmol/L亚精胺(Spd)浸种、100mmol/L盐碱溶液胁迫+0.25mmol/L Spd浸种4种处理,研究外源Spd对番茄幼苗株高和茎粗的相对生长率、叶片和根系含水量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性以及丙二醛(MDA)、脯氨酸(Pro)、叶绿素含量的影响。结果显示:(1)单独盐碱胁迫下,两品种番茄幼苗叶绿素含量、株高和茎粗的相对生长率、叶片和根系相对含水量较对照均降低,而其MDA、Pro含量、SOD和POD活性显著增加。(2)外源Spd浸种处理较盐碱胁迫下能够增加番茄幼苗的株高和茎粗的相对生长率、叶片和根系的相对含水量、Pro及叶绿素含量,进一步提高SOD和POD的活性,降低其MDA含量,能有效缓解盐碱胁迫对番茄幼苗的伤害。(3)在100mmol/L盐碱胁迫条件下,0.25mmol/L Spd浸种处理对番茄幼苗受到的盐碱胁迫伤害的缓解效果更佳,并且这种缓解作用对盐碱敏感品种‘中杂9号’幼苗的效果更加明显。研究表明,在盐碱胁迫下,番茄幼苗的生长受到一定程度的抑制,但外源Spd浸种能够通过调节渗透调节物质含量、增强抗氧化酶活性来减轻盐碱胁迫的伤害,维持植物体的正常生理代谢功能,从而提高番茄幼苗抵抗盐碱胁迫能力,有效缓解盐碱胁迫的伤害,并以0.25mmol/L Spd浸种处理缓解效果更佳,且这种缓解作用对盐碱敏感品种‘中杂9号’幼苗效果更明显。     

甜菜耐盐性筛选及其幼苗对盐胁迫的响应

为了探讨甜菜耐盐机理、不同耐盐等级甜菜盐耐性机制差异,对40份甜菜品种（系）用300mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫处理,通过芽期相对盐害率和苗期盐害指数确定不同品种耐盐等级,将不同耐盐等级材料进行NaCl浓度梯度（150、300mmol·L-1）处理,测定植株鲜重、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性、丙二醛（MDA）含量和叶片质膜透性。试验结果如下：40份甜菜材料经过芽期和苗期耐盐性筛选最终确定耐盐等级极强的品种（系）1份（‘KWS0143’）,耐盐等级强的品种（系）6份（‘ACERO’等）,耐盐等级中等的品种（系）14份（‘HI0183’等）,耐盐等级弱的品种（系）5份（‘OVITO’等）;在同一盐胁迫时间下,不同耐盐等级材料的植株鲜重随盐浓度的增加呈下降趋势,品种‘KWS0143’和‘ACERO’变化幅度较小,品种‘OVATIO’下降幅度最大;不同耐盐等级材料随盐浓度增加和胁迫时间延长超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性呈现先上升而后下降的趋势,耐盐性极强的品种酶活性显著高于其他耐盐等级材料;不同耐盐等级材料随盐浓度增加和胁迫时间延长丙二醛（MDA）含量和叶片质膜透性均呈上升趋势,耐盐等级弱的品种（系）明显高于其他各个材料。     

根系抗坏血酸在小麦幼苗铝耐性中的作用

以3个铝耐性不同的小麦品种为材料,研究了Al胁迫下小麦幼苗根系质外体和共质体抗坏血酸含量以及抗坏血酸氧化酶和过氧化物酶活性的变化。结果显示,Al耐性品种‘Atlas 66’质外体中抗坏血酸总含量随着处理 Al浓度的增加显著升高,而在Al敏感品种‘Scout 66’和‘扬麦9号’中显著降低。同时,‘Atlas 66’质外体中还原型抗坏血酸含量在高浓度Al处理下显著升高,2个敏感品种则在低浓度Al处理下还原型抗坏血酸含量略有升高。耐性品种‘Atlas 66’根系共质体还原型抗坏血酸和抗坏血酸总量在5～40μmol·L-1AlCl3处理下无显著变化,而在 2个敏感品种中则随处理Al浓度的增加显著下降。80μmol·L-1AlCl3处理下‘Atlas 66’根系质外体和共质体抗坏血酸氧化酶以及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶活性与对照相比均无显著变化,而在‘Scout 66’和‘扬麦9号’中则均显著降低。因此Al胁迫下‘Atlas 66’根系质外体抗坏血酸含量的升高和共质体抗坏血酸含量的维持以及Al毒害下抗坏血酸利用率较高可能是其Al耐性的一个重要机制。     

Na2SO4和Na2CO3胁迫下苦楝幼苗的形态及光合生理特性

为探索苦楝应对盐胁迫的响应机制,该文以1年生苦楝(Melia azedarach)实生苗为材料,在盆栽条件下设置中性盐Na_2SO_4和碱性盐Na_2CO_33个盐浓度(200、400、600 mmol·L~(-1))处理40 d,研究苦楝的抗盐碱水平及在不同程度盐碱胁迫条件下的生长及光合生理变化。结果表明:随着盐浓度的提高,苦楝的苗高、地径和生物量的增长量均呈现下降趋势,且碱性盐胁迫条件下降程度更大,盐胁迫提高苦楝的根冠比。处理10 d时,苦楝幼苗的所有光合指标随中性盐和碱性盐浓度的提高呈相似的下降特征,碱性盐胁迫条件下的降低幅度显著大于中性盐胁迫,且随处理时间的增加,中性盐和碱性盐处理下苦楝幼苗的净光合速率和蒸腾速率显著降低。随着盐浓度的提高,苦楝的叶绿素含量呈现下降趋势,200 mmol·L~(-1)盐胁迫对叶绿素含量影响较小,400、600 mmol·L~(-1)盐胁迫均对叶绿素含量有显著影响。600 mmol·L~(-1)碱性盐胁迫条件下,苦楝叶片相对电导率和饱和水分亏缺最高,显著高于其余处理。同等浓度下,碱性盐胁迫的苦楝叶片相对电导率和饱和水分亏缺显著高于中性盐胁迫处理。综上结果认为,苦楝具有一定的耐盐碱能力,碱性盐比中性盐对苦楝幼苗的影响更大。     

Cd-K双重处理对水稻幼苗生长和Cd吸收转运的影响及相关转运通道分析

以水稻( Oryza sativa Linn.)高 Cd 积累品种‘T 优705’(‘T You 705’)和低 Cd 积累品种‘湘早籼24’(‘Xiangzaoxian 24’)为实验材料,采用水培法对不同浓度Cd(0.0和2.7μmol·L-1 Cd)和K(0、30和60 mmol·L-1 K)处理条件下2个品种幼苗的相对生长量、根系和地上部的Cd含量及其亚细胞分布特征进行了比较,并分析了添加离子通道活性抑制剂TEA和LaCl3后幼苗根系和地上部的Cd和K含量;在此基础上,比较了NSCCs(非选择性阳离子通道)和K专性通道对2个品种幼苗根系和地上部Cd和K吸收贡献率的影响。结果表明：与Cd单一处理组(2.7μmol·L-1 Cd)相比, Cd-K双重处理组(2.7μmol·L-1 Cd-30 mmol·L-1 K和2.7μmol·L-1 Cd-60 mmol·L-1 K)2个品种幼苗的相对生长量显著提高,而幼苗根系和地上部的Cd含量显著下降;随K浓度的提高,2个品种幼苗根系细胞壁和细胞液中的Cd含量显著下降,但细胞壁中Cd含量的分配比例增大而细胞液中Cd含量的分配比例则减小。在含2.7μmol·L-1 Cd和30 mmol·L-1 K的培养液中分别添加5 mmol·L-1 TEA或0.2 mmol·L-1 LaCl3后,2个品种幼苗根系和地上部的Cd和K含量均显著下降,其中,LaCl3处理组的根系Cd含量降幅高于TEA处理组,但LaCl3处理组的根系K含量降幅则低于TEA组。 NSCCs对品种‘T优705’幼苗根系和地上部Cd吸收的贡献率显著低于品种‘湘早籼24’幼苗,而K专性通道对品种‘T优705’幼苗根系K吸收和地上部Cd吸收的贡献率则显著低于品种‘湘早籼24’幼苗。研究结果显示：添加外源K可缓解Cd对水稻幼苗生长的抑制作用,并通过提高细胞壁与Cd的结合能力来降低细胞液中Cd的积累,以此减弱幼苗对Cd的吸收和转运能力;幼苗体内的K和Cd均可通过K专性通道和NSCCs转运,其中,K吸收和转运主要通过K专性通道完成,而Cd吸收和转运主要通过NSCCs完成。此外,品种‘T优705’可能具有多种离子通道参与Cd的吸收和转运,而品种‘湘早籼24’主要依赖NSCCs参与Cd的吸收和转运,且后者对K的吸收和积累强于前者。     

盐碱胁迫对赤霞珠葡萄幼苗生长及相关生理指标的影响

【目的】了解不同盐分配比和不同浓度梯度复合盐碱胁迫对‘赤霞珠’葡萄（Vitis vinfera ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’）幼苗生长和抗逆生理指标的影响，确认其耐盐碱性范围及其耐盐碱能力。【方法】 以1年生‘赤霞珠’自根苗为试材，用NaCl、Na2SO4、NaHCO3、Na2CO3按不同比例混合配置中性盐、弱碱性盐、强碱性盐3组复合盐溶液，每组各设置50、100、150 mmol/L3个浓度梯度，以不做处理的溶液作为对照，于幼苗生长期间进行定期浇灌处理，通过室内盆栽试验来模拟不同类型、不同程度盐碱胁迫，在处理后不同时期测定幼苗生长形态、生理及光合指标。【结果】（1）茎粗和叶面积随盐胁迫浓度增大，呈现先增大后减小的趋势， 而‘赤霞珠’幼苗的株高基本呈现下降趋势。其中，中性、弱碱性、强碱性盐胁迫组间相比，‘赤霞珠’幼苗株高在强碱性盐胁迫组150 mmol/L处理10 d、150 mmol/L处理40 d都较同期中性、弱碱性组相应浓度显著降低；（2）随着盐浓度的增大，SOD活性及MDA含量呈先增大后减小的趋势，而‘赤霞珠’幼苗叶片的POD活性呈现缓慢增加的趋势，强碱性盐胁迫组叶片POD活性在处理30-50d时均高于相同浓度的中性、弱碱性盐胁迫处理组，但随着时间处理延长，到处理60 d后逐渐低于同浓度其他两处理组，其中150 mmol/L浓度表现得更明显。；（3）‘赤霞珠’葡萄幼苗胞间CO2浓度、净光合速率、蒸腾速率随着盐碱浓度的增加主要呈下降趋势，其胞间CO2浓度与净光合速率均为50 mmol/L浓度处理时较高。在同期相同盐浓度处理下，叶片净光合速率在强碱性盐胁迫150 mmol/L浓度处理75 d时显著低于同期中性、弱碱性处理组。（4）在相同浓度条件下，强碱性盐胁迫处理的幼苗株高及最大叶面积都显著低于中性盐和弱碱性盐处理组；叶片SOD活性在50 mmol/L中性盐胁迫处理下较CK显著提高了27%；叶片MDA含量在150 mmol/L强碱性盐胁迫下随着时间延长显著逐渐增加。【结论】‘赤霞珠’幼苗生长在盐碱胁迫下受到一定限制，但其株高、叶面积、胞间CO2浓度、净光合速率、蒸腾速率在50 mmol/L浓度处理下均呈现较好的增长趋势，而其株高及茎粗在强碱性盐胁迫150 mmol/L盐碱溶液处理下均增长最不明显；在一定低浓度浓度范围内50 mmol/L盐碱处理有利于赤霞珠葡萄幼苗生长。     

NaCl胁迫对藜麦幼苗生长及生理特性的影响

为探讨盐胁迫下两类不同地区藜麦品种幼苗的耐盐机制,该文利用不同浓度的NaCl溶液,对来自青海省海东市乐都区的‘LD-13’(低盐地区)和来自青海省海西州乌兰县的‘WL-192’(高盐地区)的2个藜麦品种的种子和幼苗进行盐胁迫处理,研究了种子萌发指标(发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数),生长指标(鲜重、根长、茎长)及生理指标(MDA含量及SOD、POD、CAT活性)等的变化。结果表明:低浓度盐(NaCl浓度小于250 mmol·L~(-1))胁迫下,2个藜麦品种种子的萌发、幼苗生长及生理活性表现均较适宜;但中、高浓度盐(NaCl浓度大于250 mmol·L-1)胁迫下,其种子萌发、生长及幼苗生理活性均受到不同程度的抑制。从耐盐性综合评价值D值来看,虽然同为山谷型的藜麦品种,但适应盐碱地栽培的‘WL-192’品种比低盐土壤中生长的‘LD-13’品种更耐盐。推测‘WL-192’比‘LD-13’耐盐性除了受选育地区土壤盐度的影响外,还可能与品种自身及光周期、温度、海拔、纬度等外部生长环境等因素有关。结合青海西部地区气候环境和盐碱土地资源开发利用,‘WL-192’品种更适合在青海地区推广种植。     

外源亚精胺对盐碱胁迫下番茄幼苗根系线粒体功能的影响

为探讨外源亚精胺(Spd)对盐碱胁迫下番茄根系线粒体功能的影响,采用水培法,以耐性不同的两个番茄品种‘金棚朝冠’(耐盐型)和‘中杂9号’(敏感型)为试材,通过模拟盐碱生态条件(Na Cl∶Na_2SO_4∶Na HCO3∶Na2CO3=1∶9∶9∶1),结合叶面喷施外源0.25mmol·L~(-1)Spd,研究盐碱胁迫8 d后Spd对番茄幼苗根系形态和根系线粒体功能的影响.结果表明:盐碱胁迫下,两个品种番茄根系线粒体内H_2O_2和丙二醛(MDA)含量增加,线粒体膜通透性明显增大,流动性降低,膜电位、线粒体内细胞色素c/a(Cyt c/a)吸光度比值、膜H~+-ATPase活性显著下降,使线粒体受到不同程度的损伤,从而抑制根系生长,且‘金棚朝冠’的上述指标变化幅度均小于‘中杂9号’.盐碱胁迫下,喷施外源Spd处理的两个品种根系线粒体H_2O_2和MDA含量显著降低,膜通透性减小、流动性增加,膜电位、线粒体内Cyt c/a吸光度比值、膜H~+-ATPase活性显著提高,可有效缓解盐碱胁迫对番茄幼苗根系线粒体的伤害作用,且这种缓解作用在‘中杂9号’上的表现效果更佳.     

Phylogenetic relationship of salt tolerance in early Green Revolution CIMMYT wheats

Twenty-five genotypes of early CIMMYT hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were screened for salt tolerance in a glasshouse experiment at 150 mol m⁻³ NaCl in sand culture. The genotypes Na(20)TPP, Penjamo 62, and Inia 66 exceeded all the lines in grain yield per plant under salt stress, whereas Nainari 60 and Norin 10 were the lowest of all genotypes. However, Jaral 66 and Yaqui 54 were the lowest of all the genotypes in all growth and yield attributes. Considerable variation in accumulation of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in different plant parts of 25 genotypes of early CIMMYT wheat under salt stress was observed. The genotype Noreste 66 was the lowest in leaf Na⁺ and Cl⁻, and it had highest leaf K/Na ratio and K versus Na selectivity of all the genotypes, but in terms of growth and grain yield, it was moderately tolerant. The other genotype Norin 10 was the highest in leaf Na⁺ and Cl⁻ of all genotypes, but its leaf K/Na ratio and K versus Na selectivity were considerably low. However, in shoot biomass it was the highest and in grain yield the lowest of all genotypes. In view of phylogenetic lineage of the genotypes, most of the genotypes have evolved from Norin 10, so the trait of high uptake of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in most genotypes may have been inherited from Norin 10. The ion exclusion trait in the moderately salt tolerant genotype Noreste 66 was possibly inherited from Yaqui 50 as it was the only among all putative parents which showed low uptake of toxic ions. Overall, owing to the complex nature of the salt tolerance trait being controlled by polygenes, it was not easy to draw relationships between degree of salt tolerance and pattern of uptake of toxic ions and maintenance of leaf K/Na ratios. However, from the phylogenetic lineage of the 25 genotypes it was possible to draw relationships between degree of salt tolerance and mechanism of ion uptake between parents and progeny.     

Study of trace element correlations with drought tolerance in different sorghum genotypes using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique

Drought-tolerant and drought-susceptible genotypes of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Monech) were analyzed by the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) technique to study the correlation of trace elements with drought-tolerance capacities. Samples prepared from mature seeds, young seedlings, and old plants were analyzed using a ¹⁰⁹Cd radioisotope source and a Si(Li) semiconductor detector of resolution 170 eV for 5.9-keV MnK{ie255-1} X-rays. Elements such as K, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb and Sr and Y were found to be present in varying concentrations in different samples. The trace element profile studied in the seeds of 11 genotypes and in seedlings (young and old) of 4 sorghum genotypes showed considerable variation. The genotype Arfa Gadamak (AG) showed a distinct presence of a high level of Zn in its young seedling. It was observed that in most of the genotypes (seeds), K and Fe concentrations were more in the tolerant genotype as compared to the susceptible type. The concentration of Fe decreased with maturity in the tolerant group and it increased with maturity in the susceptible group.     

Germination profiling of lentil genotypes subjected to salinity stress

• Salinity is one of the most severe environmental stresses, negatively affecting productivity of salt‐sensitive crop species. Given that germination is the most critical phase in the plant life cycle, the present study aimed to determine seed germination potential and associated traits under salt stress conditions as a simple approach to identify salt‐tolerant lentil genotypes.
• The genetic material consisted of six lentil genotypes whose adaptation to various agroclimatic conditions is not well elucidated. Salinity stress was applied by addition of NaCl at three different levels of stress, while non‐stressed plants were included as controls. Evaluation of tolerance was performed on the basis of germination percentage, seed water absorbance, root and shoot length, seedling water content, seedling vigour index and number of seedlings with an abnormal phenotype.
• Overall, our findings revealed that salinity stress substantially affects all traits associated with germination and early seedling growth, with the effect of salinity being dependent on the level of stress applied. It is noteworthy, however, that genotypes responded differently to the varying salinity levels. In this context, Samos proved the most salt‐tolerant genotype, indicating its possible use for cultivation under stress conditions.
• In conclusion, the determination of seed germination and early growth potential may be exploited as an efficient strategy to reveal genetic variation in lentil germplasm of unknown tolerance to salinity stress. This approach allows selection of desirable genotypes at early growth stages, thus enabling more efficient application of various breeding methods to achieve stress‐tolerant lentil genotypes.

     

Assessment of Genotypic Variation in Salt Tolerance of early CIMMYT Hexaploid Wheat Germplasm Using Photosynthetic Capacity and Water Relations as Selection Criteria

Twenty-five genotypes of early CIMMYT hexaploid wheat were screened for salt tolerance in a glasshouse experiment using photosynthetic capacity and water relation parameters as selection criteria. Under salt stress (150 mM NaCl) the genotypes Frontana, Norin-10, Mayo-54, Noreste-66, and Yaktana-54 excelled all other lines in shoot dry mass, and Na(20)TPP, Penjamo-62, Inia-66, Frontana, Siete Cerros, and Jaral-66 in grain yield per plant in both absolute and relative (percent of control) terms. Although net photosynthetic rate (P _N) declined in all genotypes due to salt stress, it was not helpful in discriminating among genotypes according to salt tolerance. Similarly, no positive relationships of salt tolerance of the genotypes with stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, or turgor pressure were found. Every genotype used its own specific mechanism to tolerate salt stress. However, a large amount of variation in salt tolerance observed in 25 early CIMMYT wheat genotypes can be of considerable practical value for improving salt tolerance in the existing commercial hexaploid wheats. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Analysis of emergence stage facilitates the evaluation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes for salinity tolerance imparted by mycorrhizal colonization

Salinity is an ever-increasing constraint limiting crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) helps host plant to cope with detrimental effects of salinity. Experiments were aimed to examine the hypothesis that emergence is a better stage to determine salt tolerance of chickpea genotypes than germination and genotypic variability in their tolerance ability at emergence and subsequent vegetative growth is the manifestation of differential benefits imparted by mycorrhiza. Investigations were carried out at germination and emergence stage of genotypes (PBG 5, GPF 2, PBG 1, BG 1053, L 550) at 0, 40, 60, 80 mM NaCl. Significant genotypic variations in salt tolerance were observed at emergence rather than germination because of greater inhibitory effects on seedling emergence. Percent mycorrhizal colonization (MC) and its resulting impact on respiration rate (RR) and salt tolerance index (STI) at emergence indicated that PBG 5, with lowest RR, highest STI and mycorrhiza benefit percentage was the most tolerant whereas, L 550 the most sensitive genotype. Genotypic variability recorded at 30 days was consistent with that at emergence stage. Superior salt tolerance of PBG 5 than L 550 could be attributed to higher correlation between MC and physio-biochemical traits (RWC, chlorophyll a/b, proline accumulation, antioxidant activities). The study supported the hypothesis that both emergence stage and mycorrhizal effectiveness are important determinants of salt tolerance in chickpea genotypes. Evaluation of genotypes for relative adaptation to salinity should include estimation of their differential salt tolerance at different growth stages and symbiotic effectiveness of AM .     

Diversity of salt tolerance in a germplasm collection of wheat (Triticum spp.)

Summary A collection (5,072 lines) of wheat germplasm was screened at the seedling stage for tolerance to salinity concentrations having electrical conductivities of 0.8 (control), 12.5, 18.75 and 25.0 dS/m. Surviving seedlings were expressed for each line as a percentage of the control value. The 442 lines with greater than 70% surviving seedlings were tested for whole-life cycle survival under each salinity condition. The data of the reactions to salinity at both the seedling stage and maturity were used to classify the collection according to: (1) country of origin (2) species and ploidy level. The data were then subjected to a diversity analysis using the Shannon-Weaver information index. Seedling stage tolerance to 12.5 dS/cm salinity was widely distributed in the collection (79% of lines), whereas only 9% were tolerant at 25.0 dS/m salinity. The seedling stage tolerance was indicative of maturity tolerance. At the seedling stage, entries from USA and Egypt showed the largest proportions of tolerant lines. In addition, USA, Mexico and Egypt entries exhibited the widest variability. Diversity among regions was greater than among countries within regions, while the diversity among species was greater than among ploidy levels. Tetraploids exceeded hexaploids and diploids in the proportion of tolerant lines and diversity. Wheat-rye derivatives showed a good potential for salt tolerance at early stages. Screening more germplasm from the arid and semi-arid regions especially from countries with salt affected soils was recommended.Contribution of Project (AR-1-73) SANCST     

Comprehensive physiological analyses and reactive oxygen species profiling in drought tolerant rice genotypes under salinity stress

Rice being a staple cereal is extremely susceptible towards abiotic stresses. Drought and salinity are two vital factors limiting rice cultivation in Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains (EIGP). Present study has intended to evaluate the consequences of salinity stress on selected drought tolerant rice genotypes at the most susceptible seedling stage with an aim to identify the potential multi-stress (drought and salt) tolerant rice genotype of this region. Genotypic variation was obvious in all traits related to drought and salt susceptibility. IR84895-B-127-CRA-5-1-1, one of the rice genotypes studied, exhibited exceptional drought and salinity tolerance. IR83373-B-B-25-3-B-B-25-3 also displayed enhanced drought and salt tolerance following IR84895-B-127-CRA-5-1-1. Variations were perceptible in different factors involving photosynthetic performance, proline content, lipid peroxidation, K⁺/Na⁺ ratio. Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) disintegrated cellular and sub-cellular membrane leading to decreased photosynthetic activities. Therefore, accumulation and detoxification of reactive oxygen species was also considered as a major determinant of salt tolerance. IR84895-B-127-CRA-5-1-1 showed improved ROS detoxification mediated by antioxidant enzymes. IR84895-B-127-CRA-5-1-1 seedlings also displayed significant recovery after removal of salt stress. The results established a direct association of ROS scavenging with improved physiological activities and salt tolerance. The study also recommended IR84895-B-127-CRA-5-1-1 for improved crop performance in both drought and saline environments of EIGP. These contrasting rice genotypes may assist in understanding the multiple stress associated factors in concurrent drought and salt tolerant rice genotypes.     

Antioxidant gene-enzyme responses in Medicago truncatula genotypes with different degree of sensitivity to salinity

Antioxidant responses and nodule function of Medicago truncatula genotypes differing in salt tolerance were studied. Salinity effects on nodules were analysed on key nitrogen fixation proteins such as nitrogenase and leghaemoglobin as well as estimating lipid peroxidation levels, and were found more dramatic in the salt-sensitive genotype. Antioxidant enzyme assays for catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1), ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) and guaiacol peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) were analysed in nodules, roots and leaves treated with increasing concentrations of NaCl for 24 and 48 h. Symbiosis tolerance level, depending essentially on plant genotype, was closely correlated with differences of enzyme activities, which increased in response to salt stress in nodules (except CAT) and roots, whereas a complex pattern was observed in leaves. Gene expression responses were generally correlated with enzymatic activities in 24-h treated roots in all genotypes. This correlation was lost after 48 h of treatment for the sensitive and the reference genotypes, but it remained positively significant for the tolerant one that manifested a high induction for all tested genes after 48 h of treatment. Indeed, tolerance behaviour could be related to the induction of antioxidant genes in plant roots, leading to more efficient enzyme stimulation and protection. High induction of CAT gene was also distinct in roots of the tolerant genotype and merits further consideration. Thus, part of the salinity tolerance in M. truncatula is related to induction and sustained expression of highly regulated antioxidant mechanisms.     

Heat Stress-Induced Cell Death, Changes in Antioxidants, Lipid Peroxidation, and Protease Activity in Wheat Leaves

Six wheat genotypes were evaluated for heat tolerance in terms of seedling growth, antioxidant response and cell death. Based on the heat susceptibility index (HSI), response of the genotypes varied from heat tolerant (Inqilab-91) to heat sensitive (Sitta) along with moderately tolerant (Nesser and Sarsabz) and sensitive (Fareed and FD-83). Heat stress-induced programmed cell death (probably necrosis) in wheat leaves was evident by DNA smear. MDA content increased above twofold in most of genotypes under heat stress, with the lowest increase in the heat-tolerant genotype Nesser. Catalase activity diminished under heat stress in all genotypes. Peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), protease, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities increased under heat stress. Apparently, heat stress-induced reduction in catalase activity was compensated by a parallel increase in peroxidases to quench H₂O₂. Heat stress-induced decrease (%) in catalase and increase in protease activities showed significant positive correlations, whereas increase (%) in APX activity showed a significant negative correlation with HSI or relative heat tolerance of genotypes. All these correlations signify that catalase, protease and ascorbate peroxidase can be used efficiently as biochemical markers to assess the relative heat stress tolerance of wheat genotypes at the seedling stage. In conclusion, using a multiparametric approach involving morphophysiological and biochemical assays, the sensitivity of wheat genotypes to heat stress could be evaluated to a sufficient level of certainty at the seedling stage.