Effect of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on the structure and function of developing chloroplasts

Dark-grown radish seedlings (Raphanus sativus L.) were sprayed with 10^-3 mol·l^-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and then were exposed to a 14:10 light: dark cycle. Cotyledon samples from these seedlings and unsprayed controls were taken for electron microscopy, chlorophyll determinations, and photosynthetic rate measurements at regular intervals for 72 h. A normal development of etioplasts to chloroplasts with formation of typical grana-fret work system was observed in the control cotyledons. The chloroplasts in the 2,4-D-treated cotyledons showed changes in the organization of the grana thylakoids; these thylakoids being more appressed to each other than in the controls. The chlorophyll content of treated plants was less than that of controls but the rate of chlorophyll biosynthesis was unaffected. The photosynthetic rate/mg chlorophyll was considerably higher for treated plants suggesting that 2,4-D treatment resulted in decreased size of the photosynthetic unit.     

The role of cotyledons in the establishment of Suaeda physophora seedlings

The role of cotyledons in seedling establishment of the euhalophyte Suaeda physophora under non-saline and saline conditions (addition of 1 mM or 400 mM NaCl) was investigated. Survival and fresh and dry weights were greater for seedlings grown in the light (12-h light/12-h dark) than in the dark (24-h dark). The shading of cotyledons tended to decrease shoot height, shoot organic dry weight, number of leaves, and survival of seedlings regardless of NaCl treatment, but the effect of cotyledon shading was greater with 400 mM NaCl. Concentrations of Na⁺ were higher in cotyledons than in leaves, regardless of NaCl treatment. The K⁺/Na⁺ ratio was lower in cotyledons than in leaves for seedlings treated with 1 mM NaCl but not for seedlings treated with 400 mM NaCl. Addition of 400 mM NaCl decreased oxygen production in cotyledons but especially in leaves. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that, by generating oxygen via photosynthesis and by compartmentalizing Na⁺, cotyledons are crucial for the establishment of S. physophora seedlings in saline environments.     

Light-Dark Changes in Proline Content of Barley Leaves under Salt Stress

Proline accumulation in leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Alfa) seedlings treated with 150 mM NaCl was promoted in the light and suppressed in the dark. The light/dark changes of proline content was enhanced with each 12 h light/12 h dark cycle and the proline content increased steadily. Root and shoot concentrations of Na⁺ and Cl^– in salt treated plants increased about 10 to 25 times as compared to the control. The content of these ions and the content of malondialdehyde were higher in the shoot of seedlings exposed to salt stress for 4 d in the light in comparison with the seedlings exposed to NaCl for 4 d in darkness. Light stimulated both ions and proline accumulation in the leaves and has no effect in the roots. Oxygen uptake was higher in the seedlings kept 4 d in the light which have higher endogenous free proline content. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements showed that the photochemical activity of PS 2 slightly decreased as a result of salt stress and was not influenced by light regimes during plant growth.     

The role of cotyledons in phototropism of de-etiolated seedlings

Simulated phototropic curvatures caused by differential masking of the cotyledons of de-etiolated seedlings exposed to white light are unconnected with true phototropism. In Cucumis sativus L. and Helianthus annuus L. such curvatures result from a red-light-induced inhibition coming from the exposed cotyledon. True phototropic bending in these species under long-term exposure to fairly high irradiances (as in nature) is a response to blue light. It occurs even when cotyledons are completely covered. These results show that the cotyledons do not perceive the phototropic stimulus and need not be illuminated for phototropism to occur.     

Salt stress effects on growth,pigments, proteins and lipid peroxidation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salicornia persica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. europaea</Emphasis>

The effects of NaCl stress on growth, water status, contents of protein, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), various sugars and photosynthetic pigments were investigated in seedlings of Salicornia persica and S. europaea grown in vitro. Seeds were germinated under NaCl (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 mM) on Murashige and Skoog medium for 45 d. The shoot growth of both species increased under low NaCl concentration (100 mM) and then decreased with increasing NaCl concentrations. In contrast to S. persica, root length in S. europaea reduced steadily with an increase in salinity. Proline content in S. persica was higher than in S. europaea at most NaCl concentrations. Proline, reducing saccharide, oligosaccharide and soluble saccharide contents increased under salinity in both species. In contrast, contents of proteins and polysaccharides reduced in both species under salt stress. MDA content remained close to control at moderate NaCl concentrations (100 and 200 mM) and increased at higher salinities. MDA content in S. europaea was significantly higher than S. persica at higher salinities. Salt treatments decreased K⁺ and P contents in seedlings of both species. Significant reduction in contents of chlorophylls and carotenoids due to NaCl stress was also observed in seedlings of both species. Some differences appeared between S. persica and S. europaea concerning proteins profile. On the basis of the data obtained, S. persica is more salt-tolerant than S. europaea.     

NADPH : protochlorophyllide oxidoreductases in white pine (Pines strobes) and loblolly pine (P. taeda)

Summary NADPH : protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (pchlide reductase, EC 1.6.99.1) catalyzes the light-dependent reduction of protochlorophyllide in higher plants. Cloned cDNAs encoding two distinct pchlide reductases were isolated from a gt11 library constructed from poly(A)⁺ RNA prepared from the cotyledons of dark-grown white pine (Pines strobes) seedlings and a nuclear gene (lpcr) analogous to one of these cDNAs has been characterized from loblolly pine (P. taeda). The pine gene encodes an approximately 43 kDa precursor polypeptide consisting of a 334-amino acid mature protein and a 66-amino acid transit peptide. The deduced primary structures for the pine proteins are highly homologous to those reported from monocots and dicots. The coding portion of the pine lpcr gene is interrupted by four introns. The placement of these introns within the pine lpcr gene is identical to that observed in pea (Pisum sativum), suggesting conservation in gene organization between dicot and gymnosperm species. Western blot analysis using polyclonal antiserum against oat pchlide reductase detected in extracts of dark-grown pine cotyledons a single immunoreactive protein, which declined in abundance during a 48 h period of illumination with white light. Cotyledons of dark-grown seedlings were also found to accumulate high levels of pchlide reductase mRNA; however, little or no change in the steady-state levels of mRNA encoding pchlide reductase was observed in these tissues following illumination. Stem tissue of dark-grown seedlings did not contain significant levels of pchlide reductase mRNA, whereas stems of light-grown plants of the same age accumulated substantial amounts of the message. These results suggest that light and the developmental age of the tissue affect regulation of lpcr expression in pine.     

Light Induced Enhancement in Proline Levels Under Stress is Regulated by Non-Photosynthetic Events

Vigna radiata (L.) seedlings (5-d-old) were exposed to different concentrations of NaCl in light and in dark. The content of proline in the shoots increased with an increase in NaCl concentration, in light as well as in dark. But, irrespective of the concentration of NaCl, proline accumulation in the shoots was higher in light than in dark. Pretreatment of seedlings with dichlorophenyl dimethyl urea (DCMU) did not make any significant difference in light promoted stress induced proline accumulation. As DCMU is a potent inhibitor of photosynthetic electron transport, the light reaction of photosynthesis was not responsible for the observed light promotion of stress induced proline accumulation. In another set of experiments, 5-d-old green as well as etiolated seedlings were exposed to NaCl stress in the presence of different concentrations of sucrose. Irrespective of the concentration of sucrose used, proline content in shoots of stressed seedlings was higher in light than in dark. Although, sucrose enhanced NaCl stress induced increase in proline content in dark by about 32 %, this enhancement was not comparable to the 286 % increase in proline content brought about by light. These results showed that certain factors other than photosynthesis play a role in light promotion of stress induced proline accumulation.     

Relative importance of Na+, Cl−, and abscisic acid in NaCl induced inhibition of root growth of rice seedlings

The relative importance of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA), as well as Na⁺ and Cl^– in NaCl-induced responses related to growth in roots of rice seedlings were investigated. The increase in ammonium, proline and H₂O₂ levels, and cell wall peroxidase (POD) activity has been shown to be related to NaCl-inhibited root growth of rice seedlings. Increasing concentrations of NaCl from 50 to 150 mM progressively decreased root growth and increased both Na⁺ and Cl^–. Treatment with NaCl in the presence of 4,4-diisothiocyano-2,2-disulfonic acid (DIDS, a nonpermeating amino-reactive disulfonic acid known to inhibit the uptake of Cl^–) had less Cl^– level in roots than that in the absence of DIDS, but did not affect the levels of Na⁺, and responses related to growth in roots. Treatment with 50 mM Na-gluconate (the anion of which is not permeable to membrane) had similar Na⁺ level in roots as that with 100 mM NaCl. It was found that treatment with 50 mM Na-gluconate effected growth reduction and growth-related responses in roots in the same way as 100 mM NaCl. All these results suggest that Cl^– is not required for NaCl-induced responses in root of rice seedlings. Endogenous ABA level showed no increase in roots of rice seedlings exposed to 150 mM NaCl. It is unlikely that ABA is associated with NaCl-inhibited root growth of rice seedlings.     

Proline enhances primary photochemical activities in isolated thylakoid membranes of Brassica juncea by arresting photoinhibitory damage.

The presence of L-proline in the reaction mixture enhances the photosystem II (H2O----DCPIP) and whole chain (H2O----MV) catalysed electron transport activities of thylakoids isolated from the cotyledonary leaves of Brassica juncea seedlings raised in the absence and the presence of NaCl. The extent of stimulation in activities was higher in the thylakoids of NaCl raised plants than the controls. The extent of proline mediated stimulation was seen even in the presence of uncoupler NH4Cl suggesting that this stimulation is not due to uncoupling. However, photosystem I (DCPIPH2----MV) catalysed photoreaction remained almost insensitive to proline. The presence of proline in the incubation medium brought about a significant reduction in the time dependent loss in photochemical activity of thylakoids exposed to strong light suggesting that proline prevents photoinhibitory loss in chloroplast activity. Also, proline brought about a considerable reduction in the production of lipid peroxidation linked maiondialdehyde during strong illumination. We suggest that proline protects the components involved in water oxidation capacity by reducing the production of free radicals and/or scavenging the free radicals and thereby reducing thylakoid lipid peroxidation.     

外源5-氨基乙酰丙酸对NaCl胁迫下黑果枸杞幼苗生理及生长的影响

5-氨基乙酰丙酸(ALA)是植物血红素、叶绿素等四吡咯化合物的关键生物合成前体,对植物适应非生物胁迫至关重要。为验证外源ALA对黑果枸杞幼苗生理生长的影响,该研究用300 mmol·L^-1 NaCl和不同浓度(0、5、10、15、20、25 mg·L^-1)的ALA共同处理黑果枸杞幼苗,并测定其相关的生理指标和生长指标,综合评价各处理幼苗的耐盐性。结果表明：(1)NaCl胁迫使黑果枸杞幼苗总生物量和叶片总叶绿素、类胡萝卜素、可溶性糖含量以及过氧化物酶(POD)活性较CK分别显著降低了33.39%、19.06%、24.38%、39.57%和47.91%(P<0.05),使黑果枸杞幼苗脯氨酸和丙二醛的含量较CK分别显著增加了165.74%和49.16%。(2)当外源ALA和NaCl同时处理时,黑果枸杞幼苗叶片类胡萝卜素和丙二醛含量、POD和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性以及株高、总生物量均恢复至对照水平,叶片总叶绿素和脯氨酸含量以及SOD活性较CK显著增加。(3)黑果枸杞幼苗叶片叶绿素和脯氨酸含量以及抗氧化酶活性、生物量等指标随ALA浓度增加均呈先...     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Isatis indigotica</Emphasis> seedlings derived from laser stimulated seeds showed improved resistance to elevated UV-B

Sterilized seeds of Isatis indigotica (Brassicacae) were divided into four groups based on irradiation pretreatments. These control groups (C) were non irradiated, He–Ne laser treated seeds (L), UV-B treated seeds (B) and He–Ne laser followed by UV-B radiation treated seeds (LB). Laser radiation was provided by He–Ne laser, UV-B radiation was provided by filtered Qin brand 30 W fluorescent sun lamps. Malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, UV-B absorbing compounds and ascorbic acid (AsA) concentrations, as well as, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) were measured in the cotyledons of seedlings from all the four irradiation treatments. The result indicate that UV-B radiation enhanced the concentration of MDA while decreasing the activities of SOD, CAT, POD and the concentration of AsA in the seedlings compared with the controls. The concentration of MDA decreased, while the activities of SOD, CAT, POD and the concentration of AsA increased in seedling treated with He–Ne laser and UV-B compared to UV-B alone. The concentration of proline and UV absorbing compounds increased progressively with treatments i.e. UV-B irradiation, He–Ne laser irradiation, and He–Ne laser irradiation followed by UV-B irradiation compared to the controls. The present data suggest that Isatis indigotica seedlings derived from laser stimulated seeds showed improved resistance to elevated UV-B.     

Effect of NaCl on biomass, protein and proline contents, and antioxidant enzymes in seedlings and calli of two Trigonella species

The effects of NaCl on growth, contents of proteins and proline, and activities of catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were investigated in seedlings and calli of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. and T. aphanoneura Rech. f. Seeds and hypocotyl explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM NaCl. Seed germination and the fresh and dry mass of the seedlings decreased significantly under salinity. In both species significant increases in protein content of seedlings over that of control were observed at 150 and 200 mM NaCl. Protein content in calli decreased at 200 mM NaCl over that of control. Protein content was higher in seedlings than in calli at all NaCl concentrations. Conversely, proline content was lower in seedlings than in calli at all the tested NaCl concentrations. NaCl caused changes in the activities of peroxidase, catalase and polyphenol oxidase in seedlings and calli.     

Quantitative aspects of latex lipid synthesis in Euphoribia lathyris L. seedlings

Changes in the dry weight of the endosperm of Euphorbia lathyris L. seedlings showed that 2 mg material was taken up by the cotyledons after 10 d germination. A similar amount of sucrose could be taken up by these seedlings after removal of the endosperm. The maximum yield of latex triterpenes synthesized from this exogenously supplied substrate was in the same order of magnitude as the daily latex lipid increase in 19 g per seedling. Cotyledons and adjacent 1–2 cm segment of the hypocotyl were the most active tissues in latex trieterpene synthesis. Excised cotyledons were able to accumulate 1–1.5 mg sucrose in 48 h from a sugar concentration higher than 0.1 mol l^-1. In this period a maximum amount of 8–10 g latex triterpenes could be synthesized from this substrate. [¹⁴C]Mevalonic acid was rapidly taken up by excised cotyledons but not metabolized by the laticifers. This exogenously supplied precursor was rapidly converted to squalene and triterpenes by the adjacent tissue, and after 48 h incubation most of the ¹⁴C in the nonsaponifiable fraction was traced in the phytosterolds.     

Light-induced expression of ipt from Agrobacterium tumefaciens results in cytokinin accumulation and osmotic stress symptoms in transgenic tobacco

Cytokinins are plant growth regulators that induce shoot formation, inhibit senescence and root growth. Experiments with hydroponically grown tobacco plants, however, indicated that exogenously applied cytokinin led to the accumulation of proline and osmotin. These responses were also associated with environmental stress reactions, such as salt stress, in many plant species. To test whether increased endogenous cytokinin accumulation led to NaCl stress symptoms, the gene ipt from Agrobacterium tumefaciens, encoding isopentenyl transferase, was transformed into Nicotiana tabacum cv. SR-1 under the control of the light-inducible rbcS-3A promoter from pea. In high light (300 mol PPFD m^-2 s^-1), ipt mRNA was detected and zeatin/zeatin glucoside levels were 10-fold higher than in control plants or when transformants were grown in low light (30 mol PPFD m^-2 s^-1). High light treatment was accompanied by increased levels of proline and osmotin when compared to low light grown transformed and untransformed control plants. Elevated in planta cytokinin levels induced responses also stimulated by salt stress, suggesting either common or overlapping signaling pathways are initiated independently by cytokinin and NaCl, setting in motion gene expression normally elicited by developmental processes such as flowering or environmental stress.Abbreviations IPT isopentenyl, transferase - rbcS-3A gene encoding a small subunit protein (SSU) of Rubisco from Pisum sativum - Rubisco ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase     

Response of Scenedesmus Incrassatulus to Salt Stress as Affected by Methyl Jasmonate

Exposure of the freshwater green alga Scenedesmus incrassatulus Bohl, strain R-83 to salt stress (175 mM NaCl) resulted in a reduction of its growth and ¹⁴CO₂ fixation and in an increase of accumulation of free proline and malondialdehyde (MDA). The accumulation of proline in the light was higher than in dark. NaCl significantly inhibited the Fe-induced release of organic chelators from the cells. Exogenously supplied 10^–4M methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) did not considerably change the ¹⁴CO₂ fixation, but increased proline and MDA accumulation in the cells and moderately inhibited the release of chelators from cells. JA-Me supplied simultaneously with NaCl helps the algae to counteract the salt stress.     

The effect of NaCl on proline accumulation in rice leaves

The regulation of proline accumulation in detached leaves of rice(Oryza sativa cv. Taichung Native 1) was investigated.Increasing concentrations of NaCl from 50 to 200 mM progressivelyincreased proline content in detached rice leaves. NaCl induced prolineaccumulation was mainly due to the effect of both Na⁺ andCl^– ions. Proline accumulation caused by NaCl was related toprotein proteolysis, an increase in ornithine--aminotransferaseactivity,a decrease in proline dehydrogenase activity, a decrease in prolineutilisation,and an increase in the content of the precursors of proline biosynthesis,ornithine and arginine. Results also show that proline accumulation caused byNaCl was associated with ammonium ion accumulation.     

Far-red light-insensitive, phytochrome A-deficient mutants of tomato

We have selected two recessive mutants of tomato with slightly longer hypocotyls than the wild type, one under low fluence rate (3 mol/m²/s) red light (R) and the other under low fluence rate blue light. These two mutants were shown to be allelic and further analysis revealed that hypocotyl growth was totally insensitive to far-red light (FR). We propose the gene symbol fri (far-red light insensitive) for this locus and have mapped it on chromosome 10. Immunochemically detectable phytochrome A polypeptide is essentially absent in the fri mutants as is the bulk spectrophotometrically detectable labile phytochrome pool in etiolated seedlings. A phytochrome B-like polypeptide is present in normal amounts and a small stable phytochrome pool can be readily detected by spectrophotometry in the fri mutants. Inhibition of hypocotyl growth by a R pulse given every 4 h is quantitatively similar in the fri mutants and wild type and the effect is to a large extent reversible if R pulses are followed immediately by a FR pulse. After 7 days in darkness, both fri mutants and the wild type become green on transfer to white light, but after 7 days in FR, the wild-type seedlings that have expanded their cotyledons lose their capacity to green in white light, while the fri mutants de-etiolate. Adult plants of the fri mutants show retarded growth and are prone to wilting, but exhibit a normal elongation response to FR given at the end of the daily photoperiod. The inhibition of seed germination by continuous FR exhibited by the wild type is normal in the fri mutants. It is proposed that these fri mutants are putative phytochrome A mutants which have normal pools of other phytochromes.     

AM真菌对盐胁迫下番茄幼苗生理特征及AVP1表达的影响

采用温室盆栽试验研究不同NaCl浓度（0、50 和85 mmol/L）持续胁迫接种摩西球囊霉和地表球囊霉 2种AM真菌对加工番茄耐盐性的影响。结果显示:（1）在0 mmol/L NaCl处理条件下,2种菌的番茄菌根化苗的根系活力、叶片中可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白、根系脯氨酸含量以及超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶活性均高于非菌根植株,且丙二醛含量低于非菌根植株,但差异不显著。（2）在50、85 mmol/L NaCl浓度胁迫下,接种2种菌根真菌可显著提高番茄植株根系活力,促进叶片中可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白及根系脯氨酸含量的积累,显著提高叶片中与抗逆相关的超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶的活性,减少丙二醛在根系中的积累;随着NaCl浓度的增加,效果更为明显。（3）RT-PCR分析显示,AM真菌和盐胁迫共同调控H⁺转运无机焦磷酸酶H⁺- PPase的表达,随NaCl浓度的增加,AVP1基因表达量下降,但菌根化番茄植株的AVP1基因表达量显著高于非菌根植株。研究表明,接种AM真菌后,菌根化植株可通过显著促进幼苗体内渗透调节物质积累和抗氧化酶活性的提高,有效降低体内膜脂过氧化水平,同时过量表达AVP1基因增加了番茄植株中离子向液泡膜的转运,从而缓解盐胁迫对植株的伤害,增强番茄幼苗对盐胁迫的耐性。     

The rate of nuclear gene transcription in barley endosperm syncytia increases sixfold before cell-wall formation

In seedlings of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), alanine aminotransferase (AlAT EC 2.6.1.2.) is present in the shoot and in the primary root but most activity is found in the cotyledons. During the experimental period (from 6 to 12 d after sowing), AlAT activity increased steadily. Anion exchange chromatography and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used to show that AlAT activity in extracts from cotyledons is associated with two isoforms of the enzyme. One isoform (AlAT 1) dominated in the cotyledons of lightgrown seedlings, but was absent from primary roots. Its accumulation was strongly increased by light, and both phytochrome and cryptochrome were shown to be involved in this effect. Results of experiments using dichromatic irradiation indicate that cryptochrome acts indirectly by establishing responsiveness towards phytochrome. When plastids were damaged by photooxidation, the accumulation of AlAT 1 decreased; however, AlAT 1 which had accumulated before the onset of photooxidative treatment seemed to remain undamaged. Therefore, and because of the absence of AlAT 1 from primary roots, it is suggested that this isoform is localized in leaf peroxisomes. The isoform AlAT 2 is the only one found in primary roots, and the predominant one in the cotyledons of dark-grown seedlings. It is unaffected by light. Upon photodestruction of plastids, a pronounced increase of its activity was found. This is taken as evidence that AlAT 2 is a cytosolic enzyme. Total AlAT activity in cotyledons was unaffected by feeding nitrate to the seedlings; supplying exogenous ammonium led to a considerably slower accumulation of AlAT compared with water controls. In contrast, AlAT accumulation in the primary roots was augmented by up to 45% if nitrogenous ions were supplied, ammonium being more effective than nitrate.Abbreviations and Symbols AlAT alanine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.2.) - B blue light - c continuous - D darkness - Fd-GOGAT ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase (EC 1.4.7.1.) - FR far-red light - HPR hydroxypyruvate reductase (EC 1.1.1.81.) - FPLC fast protein liquid chromatography - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - R red light - RG9 long-wavelength far-red light defined by the properties of the Schott glass filter RG9 (_RG9 < 0.01) - =Pfr/Ptot far-red-absorbing form of phytochrome/total phtochrome, wavelength-dependent photoequilibrium of the phytochrome system This work was supported by Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften (Forschungsstelle Nitratassimilation). We are very grateful to Ms. B. Seith for measuring the DNA contents of the seedlings.     

Enhanced Tonoplast H+-ATPase Activity and Superoxide Dismutase Activity in the Halophyte Suaeda salsa Containing High Level of Betacyanin

In this study, high-betacyanin Suaeda salsa seedlings were developed and used to explore whether the betacyanin accumulation is related to salinity tolerance in S. salsa. After 8 days of culture, betacyanin content decreased markedly in both high-betacyanin S. salsa seedlings and the control under nonsalt stress, but the decreases were suppressed by NaCl treatments. Betacyanin content in high-betacyanin seedlings was much higher than that in the control throughout the salt treatments. Growth of S. salsa plants was significantly promoted by NaCl treatments, and the fresh weight of high-betacyanin seedlings was much higher than that of the control when grown in 400 mmol L⁻¹ NaCl. Similar cell sap osmolarity and K⁺/Na⁺ ratios were observed in high-betacyanin seedlings and the control. No obvious differences in V-ATPase (tonoplast H⁺-ATPase) activity, leaf SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity, and total chloroplast SOD (including thylakoid-bound SOD and stroma SOD) activity were detected between high-betacyanin seedlings and the control under nonsalt stress conditions. However, V-ATPase hydrolytic activity increased dramatically in S. salsa seedlings when subjected to different levels of NaCl, and the increases in V-ATPase activity in high-betacyanin seedlings were much higher than that in the control. No clear pattern was observed for NaCl-dependent activity changes of P-ATPase (plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase) and V-PPase (tonoplast H⁺-pyrophosphatase). Similar changes were demonstrated in leaf SOD activity and chloroplast SOD activity under salt stress. Both leaf SOD activity and chloroplast SOD activity were markedly enhanced with the increase of NaCl or with time, especially thylakoid-bound SOD activity. Furthermore, the increases in chloroplast SOD activity and thylakoid-bound SOD activity were much higher in high-betacyanin seedlings than that in the control at different levels of NaCl treatment. The higher V-ATPase activity, chloroplastic SOD activity, and thylakoid-bound SOD activity demonstrated in high-betacyanin seedlings, but lower in the control, suggest that high-betacyanin S. salsa seedlings may have higher potential to be energized by the electrochemical gradient for ion uptake into the vacuole and to scavenge O₂^−• in situ produced in the chloroplasts, which may lead to higher salt tolerance than the control under salt stress. Thus, betacyanin may be involved in salt tolerance of S. salsa.