盐分胁迫对啤酒大麦幼苗生长、离子平衡和根际pH变化的影响

盐分胁迫不仅影响植物的生长,而且会影响植物根际微域环境。根际pH的改变对土壤养分的有效性和微生物群落组成的变化有重要影响。为了探究啤酒大麦幼苗对不同类型盐分胁迫的生理生态响应机制和根际pH变化影响的生理机制,采用水培法,通过不同类型盐分(对照、混合Na盐、混合Cl盐和NaCl)胁迫处理啤酒大麦幼苗,对其生长、离子平衡和根际pH变化进行了研究。结果表明,1)在3种不同类型盐分胁迫下,啤酒大麦幼苗地上部干重、含水量均有所降低,而根冠比增加,尤其在NaCl胁迫下啤酒大麦幼苗地上部干重较对照显著降低了17.88%,而根干重和根冠比则分别增加了19.12%和43.86%。不同类型盐分胁迫抑制了啤酒大麦幼苗根长的生长,尤其在混合Na盐胁迫下根长降低明显(P0.05),但促进了根表面积和根体积的增加,尤其在混合Cl盐胁迫下,根表面积和根体积分别增加了41.76%和84.38%。2)不同类型盐分胁迫下啤酒大麦幼苗地上部离子平衡发生改变,在混合Na盐和NaCl胁迫下啤酒大麦幼苗主要吸收Na~+,地上部K~+/Na~+、Ca~(2+)/Na~+和Mg~(2+)/Na~+显著降低;混合Cl盐和NaCl胁迫下则过量吸收Cl~-,抑制了H_2PO_4~-、NO_3~-和SO_4~(2-)的吸收。3)在混合Na盐、混合Cl盐和NaCl盐分胁迫下,啤酒大麦幼苗对阴离子的吸收总量高于对阳离子的吸收总量,离子平衡计算结果表明根际呈碱化现象,与原位显色结果一致,且在混合Cl盐胁迫下根际碱化程度最大。     

外源EBR对NaCl胁迫下燕麦幼苗无机离子吸收、运输和分配的影响

为了探讨外源2,4-表油菜素内酯(2,4-epibrassinolide,EBR)诱导燕麦(Avena sativa L.)幼苗抗盐性的效果及其生理调节机制,以"青引2号"和"加燕2号"燕麦为材料,研究NaCl胁迫下施用外源EBR对燕麦幼苗无机离子吸收、运输和分配的影响。结果表明:100mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下,"青引2号"和"加燕2号"燕麦幼苗叶片和根系中的Na+、Cl-含量均显著升高,对阳离子的吸收产生了拮抗作用,导致燕麦幼苗叶片和根系中的K+、Ca2+、Mg2+、Mn2+、Fe2+、Zn2+、Cu2+含量显著降低,离子稳态平衡被打破;100 mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下,施用0.01μmol·L-1外源EBR后,"青引2号"和"加燕2号"燕麦幼苗叶片和根系中的Na+和Cl-含量显著降低,促进了燕麦幼苗根系对K+、Ca2+、Mg2+、Fe2+、Mn2+、Cu2+和Zn2+的吸收,叶片和根系中K+/Na+、Cl-/Na+、Ca2+/Na+、Mg2+/Na+、Fe2+/Na+、Mn2+/Na+、Cu2+/Na+和Zn2+/Na+显著升高,并且有效调控燕麦幼苗体内无机离子的运输比和阳离子的运输选择性比率,离子稳态重新达到平衡状态;说明外源EBR能够缓解NaCl胁迫下Na+和Cl-对燕麦幼苗所造成的离子毒害作用,有效调控燕麦幼苗对无机离子的选择性吸收、运输和分配,对维持燕麦幼苗体内的离子稳态平衡具有正向调控作用。     

外源EBR对NaCl胁迫下燕麦幼苗无机离子吸收、运输和分配的影响

为了探讨外源2,4-表油菜素内酯(2,4-epibrassinolide,EBR)诱导燕麦(Avena sativa L.)幼苗抗盐性的效果及其生理调节机制,以"青引2号"和"加燕2号"燕麦为材料,研究NaCl胁迫下施用外源EBR对燕麦幼苗无机离子吸收、运输和分配的影响。结果表明:100mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下,"青引2号"和"加燕2号"燕麦幼苗叶片和根系中的Na+、Cl-含量均显著升高,对阳离子的吸收产生了拮抗作用,导致燕麦幼苗叶片和根系中的K+、Ca2+、Mg2+、Mn2+、Fe2+、Zn2+、Cu2+含量显著降低,离子稳态平衡被打破; 100 mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下,施用0.01μmol·L-1外源EBR后,"青引2号"和"加燕2号"燕麦幼苗叶片和根系中的Na+和Cl-含量显著降低,促进了燕麦幼苗根系对K+、Ca2+、Mg2+、Fe2+、Mn2+、Cu2+和Zn2+的吸收,叶片和根系中K+/Na+、Cl-/Na+、Ca2+/Na+、Mg2+/Na+、Fe2+/Na+、Mn2+/Na+、Cu2+/Na+和Zn2+/Na+显著升高,并且有效调控燕麦幼苗体内无机离子的运输比和阳离子的运输选择性比率,离子稳态重新达到平衡状态;说明外源EBR能够缓解NaCl胁迫下Na+和Cl-对燕麦幼苗所造成的离子毒害作用,有效调控燕麦幼苗对无机离子的选择性吸收、运输和分配,对维持燕麦幼苗体内的离子稳态平衡具有正向调控作用。     

燕麦对松嫩草地三种主要盐分胁迫的生理适应策略

为明确燕麦幼苗对松嫩盐碱草地3种主要盐分Na Cl、Na HCO_3和Na_2CO_3的适应机制,设定不同浓度梯度(48—144 mmol/L)的胁迫处理液,测定燕麦幼苗的生长与生理指标变化。结果表明,尽管试验设定的Na Cl浓度并不影响幼苗的存活率,但在各组胁迫处理下,随着浓度的增加,燕麦幼苗的分蘖数、植株高度、茎叶与根系的生物量均呈下降趋势,下降幅度为Na_2CO_3Na HCO_3Na Cl。另外,与Na Cl胁迫相比,Na_2CO_3与Na HCO_3胁迫下茎叶与根中积累了更多的有毒Na~+,同时K~+下降幅度也更大,并且根系中含有更高的Na~+与更低的K~+以及更高的Na~+/K~+。在Na Cl胁迫下,燕麦幼苗积累大量的无机Cl~-和脯氨酸来维持细胞内的渗透与离子平衡,而Na HCO_3与Na_2CO_3胁迫造成了燕麦幼苗体内阴离子的亏缺,此时幼苗主要通过积累大量的有机酸和更多的脯氨酸来维持渗透与离子平衡。上述结果表明,碱性盐Na_2CO_3与Na HCO_3对植物的胁迫伤害程度大于中性盐Na Cl,并且Na_2CO_3的毒害效应最强,而燕麦幼苗对不同的盐分胁迫伤害也有会产生不同的生理适应策略。     

等渗的盐分和水分胁迫对芦荟幼苗生长和离子分布的效应

 研究了等渗透势（-0.44、-0.88 MPa）NaCl和PEG 6000处理对六叶龄芦荟(Aloe vera)幼苗叶片生长速率、干物质积累、电解质渗漏和离子吸收、分配的效应。结果表明: -0.44、-0.88 MPa NaCl和PEG处理10 d均明显抑制芦荟幼苗叶片伸长生长,植株干物质积累速率显著降低, 叶片含水量降低,叶片细胞电解质渗漏率上升。NaCl对芦荟幼苗生长的抑制作用显著大于PEG处理的。不同器官离子含量、根系和叶片横切面X-射线微区分析结果表明, NaCl胁迫导致芦荟体内Na+、Cl－含量显著上升,根中增幅明显高于叶片,其中Cl－尤为显著。NaCl胁迫严重抑制芦荟对K+ 和Ca2+ 的吸收及其向叶片的运输,根、叶K+/Na+、Ca2+/Na+ 比率显著下降,而PEG胁迫对离子平衡的干扰较轻,是芦荟对水分胁迫的适应能力高于盐胁迫的主要原因之一。但芦荟对 -0.44～-0.88 MPa NaCl胁迫仍有一定的适应能力,主要原因是：1) 根系对离子的选择性吸收和运输较强,并随着盐胁迫强度增加其选择性增强; 2) 芦荟叶片中的盐分在贮水组织中显著积累,明显高于其它组织细胞。同时,芦荟是CAM（景天酸代谢）途径植物,蒸腾极小,盐分随蒸腾流进入地上部的机会小。     

盐胁迫对药用蒲公英生长特性及有效成分积累与离子吸收分配效应的影响

以药用蒲公英(Taraxacum officinale)为试材,研究不同浓度盐胁迫对其生长特性、有效成分积累和离子吸收分配的影响。结果表明,低盐胁迫(0.1% NaCl)对药用蒲公英生长和菊苣酸含量无显著影响,叶中Na+含量与对照无显著差异,K+含量及K+/Na+显著升高;高盐胁迫(≥0.2% NaCl)下其生长受到显著抑制,菊苣酸含量显著降低,类囊体膜结构随着盐胁迫加剧趋于紊乱,光合能力减弱,叶片Na+含量显著上升,而K+、Ca2+和Mg2+含量下降,K+/Na+、Ca2+/Na+和Mg2+/Na+显著降低。离子运输选择性系数(SCa,Na、SMg,Na、SK,Na)随着盐胁迫加剧呈先升后降趋势。相关性分析表明,盐胁迫下蒲公英叶片Na+含量与叶片生理指标呈极显著负相关。因此,叶片Na+富集是药用蒲公英遭受盐害导致生长受抑制的主要原因之一。     

NaCl胁迫对2个杨树品系扦插苗生长及体内离子含量和运输的影响

以杨树(Populus spp.)品系“南杨1号”(Nanyang No.1)和“南杨2号”(Nanyang No.2)为实验材料,研究了不同浓度(0、75和150 mmol·L-1)NaCl胁迫条件下2个杨树品系扦插苗生长及不同器官中离子(N、P、K+、Na+、Ca2+、Mg2+和Cl-)含量与运输的差异.结果表明:随NaCl浓度的提高,2个杨树品系的单株干质量以及“南杨1号”的根冠比均逐渐降低,但“南杨2号”的根冠比呈现先增大后减小的趋势;除P和Mg2+含量外,2个品系根、新生枝条和叶片中营养元素的含量均逐渐降低,Na+和Cl-含量以及Na+/K+和Na+/Ca2+比值均逐渐增加,但Na+和Cl-含量以及Na+/K+和Na+/Ca2+比值的增幅在根中均最高、在叶片中均最小.在150 mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫条件下,2个品系的单株干质量和根冠比以及根、新生枝条和叶片中N、P、K+、Ca2+和Mg2+含量均最低,Na+和Cl-含量以及Na+/K+和Na+/Ca2+比值均最高,且与对照有显著差异.在NaCl胁迫条件下,2个品系从根到新生枝条、从新生枝条到叶片的离子运输相对选择性比率RSK+,Na+和RSCa2+,Na+基本上均小于对照,其中,从根到新生枝条的RSx+,Na+和RSCa2+,Na+均大于从新生枝条到叶片.总体上看,在NaCl胁迫条件下“南杨2号”的单株干质量和根冠比、各器官的N和P含量、不同器官间的RSK+Na+和RSCa2+,Na+均高于“南杨1号”,“南杨2号”各器官的Na+和Cl-含量以及Na+/K+和Na+/Ca2+比值的增幅均低于“南杨1号”.综合分析结果表明:NaCl胁迫对2个杨树品系扦插苗的生长及体内离子的分布及运输均有一定的影响,但总体上看,“南杨2号”对NaCl胁迫的耐性优于“南杨1号”.     

外源硝酸钙对黄瓜幼苗盐胁迫伤害的缓解作用

采用营养液水培法,以较耐盐黄瓜品种'新泰密刺'为试材,研究了叶面喷施硝酸钙对盐胁迫(NaCl 65 mmol·L-1)下黄瓜幼苗生长、叶绿素含量、膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)、脯氨酸及不同部位离子含量的影响.结果表明,叶面喷施硝酸钙能够显著提高盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的干鲜重、相对含水量和叶片叶绿素含量,显著减少MDA及渗透调节物质脯氨酸的积累;同时可显著降低盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗体内Na+和Cl-含量,提高K+、Ca2+含量和 K+/Na+、Ca2+/Na+.可见,外源硝酸钙能缓解盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的失水程度和光合色素的下降幅度,保护膜的完整性,调节离子选择性吸收,从而减轻盐胁迫伤害,促进黄瓜植株生长.     

盐碱胁迫对流苏幼苗生长及离子分布的影响

采用NaCl、Na_2SO_4、NaHCO_3、Na_2CO_(3 )四种盐按不同总盐浓度(50、100、200、300 mmol·L~(-1))和比例混合为不同处理盐碱溶液,对1a生流苏幼苗进行处理,分析了幼苗生长变化、离子代谢途径。结果表明:盐碱胁迫下流苏的生长受到显著影响。流苏幼苗的相对株高、地径生长量以及生物量均随着盐碱胁迫的加重而减少;而其根冠比却不断增加。随着盐碱浓度的增加,各器官中Na~+含量显著高于对照,其排序为:叶根茎;根中K~+含量呈下降趋势,叶中K~+含量先升后降,茎K~+含量变化较平缓,其排序为:叶茎根;各器官中K~+/Na~+呈下降趋势;流苏根的K~+-Na~+选择性吸收系数S_(K, Na)值呈下降趋势,茎、叶的S_(K, Na)值呈先升后降的趋势。研究认为,流苏幼苗对低盐碱环境具有一定的主动适应性,其盐碱适应机制主要是由于根系具有补偿生长效应及叶对Na~+进行区隔化,同时也与茎、叶选择性运输K~+的能力较强有关。     

NaCl胁迫对白刺试管苗渗透调节物质及离子含量的影响

以西伯利亚白刺试管苗为材料,通过组织培养法研究了其在0、25、50、100和200 mmol·L-1 NaCl 胁迫40 d后的生长指标、有机渗透调节物质含量和Na+、K+、Ca2+、Mg2+离子含量的变化,以探讨其耐盐性.结果表明:(1)白刺试管苗地上部干重和根干重在50 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下显著高于对照,而在100和200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下均显著低于对照.(2)随NaCl胁迫浓度增加,白刺试管苗叶片可溶性糖、脯氨酸含量和细胞质膜透性均呈持续上升趋势,叶片叶绿素含量和丙二醛含量分别呈先升后降、先降后升的趋势,并在50 mmol·L-1 NaCl处理时分别达到最高值和最低值.(3)随着NaCl处理浓度增加,白刺试管苗Na+含量和根系K+含量呈增加趋势且各处理均显著高于对照,幼苗Ca2+含量和地上部K+含量却呈减少趋势,而Mg2+含量较稳定;同时其Na+/K+ 、Na+/Ca2+和Na+/Mg2+随NaCl处理浓度增加而升高.研究发现,在低盐浓度(≤50 mmol·L-1NaCl)胁迫下,白刺试管苗能积累Na+离子和有机渗透调节物质,在根系中维持较高水平的K+和Ca2+含量以及较低水平的Na+/K+和Na+/Ca2+比,以降低白刺细胞渗透势来适应盐渍环境,从而保持其较高的生长水平.     

Metabolic acclimation of source and sink tissues to salinity stress in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)

Salinity is one of the major environmental factors affecting plant growth and survival by modifying source and sink relationships at physiological and metabolic levels. Individual metabolite levels and/or ratios in sink and source tissues may reflect the complex interplay of metabolic activities in sink and source tissues at the whole‐plant level. We used a non‐targeted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) approach to study sink and source tissue‐specific metabolite levels and ratios from bermudagrass under salinity stress. Shoot growth rate decreased while root growth rate increased which lead to an increased root/shoot growth rate ratio under salt stress. A clear shift in soluble sugars (sucrose, glucose and fructose) and metabolites linked to nitrogen metabolism (glutamate, aspartate and asparagine) in favor of sink roots was observed, when compared with sink and source leaves. The higher shifts in soluble sugars and metabolites linked to nitrogen metabolism in favor of sink roots may contribute to the root sink strength maintenance that facilitated the recovery of the functional equilibrium between shoot and root, allowing the roots to increase competitive ability for below‐ground resource capture. This trait could be considered in breeding programs for increasing salt tolerance, which would help maintain root functioning (i.e. water and nutrient absorption, Na⁺ exclusion) and adaptation to stress.     

Over-expression of a barley aquaporin increased the shoot/root ratio and raised salt sensitivity in transgenic rice plants

Barley HvPIP2;1 is a plasma membrane aquaporin and its expression was down-regulated after salt stress in barley [Katsuhara et al. (2002) Plant Cell Physiol. 43: 885]. We produced and analyzed transgenic rice plants over-expressing barley HvPIP2;1 in the present study. Over-expression of HvPIP2;1 increased (1) radial hydraulic conductivity of roots (Lp(r)) to 140%, and (2) the mass ratio of shoot to root up to 150%. In these transgenic rice plants under salt stress of 100 mM NaCl, growth reduction was greater than in non-transgenic plants. A decrease in shoot water content (from 79% to 61%) and reduction of root mass or shoot mass (both less than 40% of non-stressed plants) were observed in transgenic plants under salt stress for 2 weeks. These results indicated that over-expression of HvPIP2;1 makes rice plants sensitive to 100 mM NaCl. The possible involvement of aquaporins in salt tolerance is discussed.     

叶片淋洗对盐胁迫下玉米生长和矿质营养的影响研究

研究了叶片淋洗对NaCl胁迫下两个不同耐盐性玉米品种生长和体内矿质营养含量的影响,结果表明：无盐胁迫时,两品种PH3．5淋洗处理的生物量明显下降,加盐（100mmol/L NaCl)时,各淋洗处理间无明显差异,PH7．0和3．5淋洗降低农大3138（耐盐中等品种）盐胁迫时茎叶钠含量,茎叶钾含量在不加盐时升高,加盐时降低,而高油115（盐敏感品种）两元素变化小,高油115pH3.5淋洗处理在不加盐时增加茎叶钙的含量,加盐时无影响,农大3138不加盐时淋洗对钙无影响,加盐时含量降低,根系3元素含量变化小,盐胁迫降低玉米生物量,提高茎叶和根系钠,钙含量,降低钾含量。     

大穗结缕草幼苗耐盐生理机制及耐盐能力研究

以大穗结缕草为实验材料,采用不同质量分数的NaCl处理后,观察盐胁迫对其生长及生理生化指标的影响.结果表明:随着盐胁迫浓度增大,大穗结缕草幼苗株高、鲜重、干重都逐渐下降,而根容量和根冠比却逐渐上升;随盐胁迫浓度的增大,大穗结缕草幼苗叶片细胞质膜透性和MDA含量逐渐增加,脯氨酸含量持续升高;其多数生长和生理指标在≥2.0% NaCl盐胁迫浓度下与对照差异显著,且此时的脯氨酸含量是对照的10倍以上.研究发现,大穗结缕草幼苗地上部分对盐胁迫更敏感、受害更严重;通过体内脯氨酸积累来减轻渗透胁迫是其可能的耐盐生理机制;2.0%盐胁迫可能是大穗结缕草的最高耐盐浓度.     

施氮对三个南方珍稀树种幼苗生长和生物量分配的影响

为了探讨珍稀树种对短期氮素添加的响应,该文研究了氮素添加(0、0.1、0.2、0.4和0.6g·kg~(-1)土)对观光木、棱角山矾和半枫荷幼苗生长和生物量分配的影响。结果表明:3个树种幼苗对外源氮素添加的反应不同,施氮显著促进观光木幼苗株高、基径、冠幅以及全株生物量和各部分生物量的增加,中低氮促进半枫荷幼苗的生长,但高氮抑制其生长;少量施氮对棱角山矾幼苗的形态和生物量参数没有产生显著影响,中量施氮抑制其生长。氮素营养的改变显著影响3种植物幼苗的生物量分配,观光木幼苗的根生物量比和根冠比均随施氮量的增加而显著降低;除高氮处理外,半枫荷幼苗的根生物量比和根冠比均随供氮量的增加而显著升高;棱角山矾的根生物量比和根冠比均随供氮量的增加而显著升高,可能与施氮抑制其茎叶的生长有关。总的来看,观光木幼苗更能耐受高氮条件,半枫荷幼苗次之,而棱角山矾幼苗不耐高氮;但到当年生长季末,各氮处理半枫荷幼苗的株高、基径和总相对生长速率均显著大于其它两种植物。     

Effect of salinity on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) during seed germination stage

A study was conducted using ten genetically diverse genotypes along with their 45F₁ (generated by diallel mating) under normal and salt stress conditions. Although, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is moderately sensitive to salinity but more attention to salinity is yet to be required in the production of tomato. In present study, germination rate, speed of germination, dry weight ratio and Na⁺/K⁺ ratio in root and shoot, were the parameters assayed on three salinity levels; control, 1.0 % NaCl and 3.0 % NaCl with Hoagland’s solution. Increasing salt stress negatively affected growth and development of tomato. When salt concentration increased, germination of tomato seed was reduced and the time needed to complete germination lengthened, root/shoot dry weight ratio was higher and Na⁺ content increased but K⁺ content decreased. Among the varieties, Sel-7 followed by Arka Vikas and crosses involving them as a parent were found to be the more tolerant genotypes in the present study on the basis of studied parameters.     

盐胁迫对平欧杂种榛幼苗生长、光合荧光特性及根系构型的影响

以平欧杂种榛3个品种(新榛1号、新榛2号、新榛3号)幼苗为材料,研究不同盐胁迫程度(对照、轻度、中度、重度)对幼苗生长性状、光合荧光特性以及根系构型的影响.结果表明: 3个品种幼苗的新稍长度、基径、叶面积,以及根、茎、叶、总生物量随着盐胁迫的增强而降低,根冠比则增加.中度、重度盐胁迫下3个品种幼苗的净光合速率较对照分别显著降低20.5%和43.2%.轻度、中度、重度盐胁迫下的蒸腾速率和气孔导度较对照分别降低2.0%、16.3%、32.0%和10.2%、35.7%、60.1%.随着盐胁迫的增强,胞间CO₂浓度缓慢上升,水分利用效率呈先上升后下降的趋势,并在轻度盐胁迫下达到最大值.3个品种幼苗的初始荧光随着盐胁迫的增强而升高.最大荧光、最大光化学效率、潜在光化学活性、实际光化学效率、电子传递速率、光化学淬灭系数随着盐胁迫的增强而下降,非光化学淬灭系数则随着盐胁迫的增强先升高后降低.根系构型分析表明,盐胁迫导致3个品种幼苗的根系生物量、长度、表面积和体积下降.同一盐胁迫下,新榛2号各径级根系构型参数的下降幅度低于其他2个品种.平欧杂种榛幼苗生长性状、光合荧光特性以及根系构型参数受品种和盐胁迫程度的双重影响.盐胁迫下新榛2号表现出较强的生长与光合生理适应性,其耐盐性优于其他2个品种.     

Synergistic effects of drought and ascorbic acid on growth,mineral nutrients and oxidative defense system in canola (Brassica napus L.) plants

A study was conducted to find out the role of ascorbic acid (AsA) in modulating growth and different physio-biochemical attributes of canola plants under well-watered as well as water-deficit conditions. Drought stress imposed on 60 % field capacity significantly decreased the shoot and root fresh and dry weights, leaf chlorophyll contents, shoot and root P, root K⁺, and activity of CAT enzyme, while increased chlorophyll a/b contents, MDA, NPQ, leaf total phenolics, free proline and GB contents in both canola cultivars. Foliar-applied varying levels (50, 100 and 150 mg L^?1) of AsA enhanced shoot and root fresh and root dry weights, qN, NPQ, shoot and root P, AsA as well as the activity of POD enzyme particularly under drought stress conditions. Of both canola cultivars, cv. Dunkeld was higher in shoot fresh weights, ETR and F _v /F _m, MDA, proline and GB contents, and POD activity, however, cv. Cyclone in total phenolics and qN under well-watered and water-deficit conditions. Overall, the foliar-applied AsA had a positive effect, though not marked, on salt sensitive cv. Cyclone in terms of improved growth and other attributes, whereas exogenously applied AsA had a non-significant effect on relatively salt tolerant cv. Dunkeld.     

Foliar applied fullerol differentially improves salt tolerance in wheat through ion compartmentalization,osmotic adjustments and regulation of enzymatic antioxidants

Earlier we reported that seed pre-treatment with PHF promoted early seedling growth and salinity tolerance in wheat. As a way forward, experiments were conducted to investigate whether and to what extent foliar spray of fullerol could influence growth and physio-biochemical responses in salt stressed wheat. In a control experiment, seeds were sown in sand filled pots (500 g) under control and 150 mM NaCl stress. After 15 days, foliar spray of fullerol at 0, 10, 40, 80 and 120 nM concentration was applied and the data for various morpho-biochemical attributes recorded after 2 weeks. Fullerol caused improvements in shoot growth attributes while had least effect on root growth traits. Increase in total chlorophyll while reduction in Car/Chl ratio was evident under salinity in response to fullerol spray. Only 40 and 80 nM spray treatments improved antioxidant activities and reduced H2O2 contents while MDA contents which increased due to salt stress, remained unaffected by foliar spray. Fullerol spray also improved sugars, proline and free amino acids under salinity. During second experiment under natural conditions, 60 day old plants grown in sand filled pots (10 kg) under 0 and 150 mM NaCl were foliar sprayed with selected concentrations (0, 40 and 80 nM) of fullerol. Salinity inhibited gas exchange and grain yield attributes while fullerol-sprayed plants exhibited recovery. Fullerol spray resulted in high root and shoot K+ and shoot Ca2+ contents. Also, increase in shoot and root P, while lesser shoot Na+ was recorded due to 80 nM spray under salt stress. Overall, 40 and 80 nM fullerol spray improved photosynthetic activity, osmolytes accumulation and altered tissue ion compartmentalization which contributed to improvement in grain yield attributes under salinity.