Vegetative growth,compatible solute accumulation,ion partitioning and chlorophyll fluorescence of ‘Malas-e-Saveh’ and ‘Shishe-Kab’ pomegranates in response to salinity stress

The present research was conducted to assess physiological responses of ‘Malas-e-Saveh’ (Malas) and ‘Shishe-Kab’ (Shishe) pomegranates to water of different salt content and electrical conductivity (1.05, 4.61, and 7.46 dS m^?1). Both cultivars showed a reduced trunk length due to salinity. Relative water content and stomatal conductivity of both cultivars were significantly reduced under salt stress, but ion leakage increased. In both cultivars, total chlorophyll (Chl) and carbohydrates decreased with rise in salinity, while proline accumulation increased. With salinity increment, the Chl fluorescence parameters (maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII and effective quantum yield of PSII) declined significantly in both cultivars, with higher reduction observed in Shishe. Generally, more Na⁺ accumulated in shoots and more Cl^? was observed in leaves. Cl^? accumulation increased by salinity in leaves of Malas, but it was reduced in Shishe. The K⁺/Na⁺ ratio in leaves decreased in both cultivars by salinity increment. Malas was less affected by osmotic effects of NaCl, but it accumulated more Cl^? in its leaves. Thus, Malas might be more affected by negative effects of salinity.     

Difference in sodium spatial distribution in the shoot of two canola cultivars under saline stress

Among different mechanisms of salt resistance, regulation of ion distribution among various tissues and intracellular compartmentation are of great importance. In this study, we investigated the effects of salt stress on growth, photosynthesis, and Na(+) accumulation and distribution in leaf apoplast and symplast of two canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars (NYY 1 and BZY 1). The results showed that the declines in shoot dry mass, leaf water potential and net photosynthetic rate of BZY 1 (salt sensitive) were higher than those of NYY 1 (salt resistant) in response to salt stress. Stomatal limitation to photosynthesis was mainly affected under moderate salinity, whereas the reduction in assimilation rate under severe salt stress was due to both stomatal and non-stomatal limitations. We also found that more Na(+) was distributed to leaf veins in NYY 1 than in BZY 1; simultaneously, less Na(+) accumulated in the leaf blade in NYY 1 than in BZY 1. The percentage of Na(+) in the leaf symplast in NYY 1 was markedly lower than that in BZY 1. Also, Na(+) diffusion in leaves through apoplastic and symplastic pathways of BZY 1 was stronger than that in NYY 1, and the transpiration rate in BZY 1, especially at the leaf edges, decreased more than in NYY 1. Our results showed that NYY 1 accumulated less Na(+) in the shoot, especially in leaf blades, and confined Na(+) to the apoplast to avoid leaf salt toxicity, which could be one reason for the higher resistance of NYY 1 than BZY 1 plants to salt stress.     

Effects of Salinity on the Extensibility and Ca Availability in the Expanding Region of Growing Barley Leaves

The growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) leaves is reduced by salinity. We used the Instron extensometric technique to measure the reversible and irreversible compliance of the expanding regions of growing barley leaves from plants exposed to 1, 40, 80 and 120 mM NaCl in nutrient solution. Two barley cultivars differing in salinity resistance (cv ‘Arivat’ and cv ‘Briggs’) were compared over 5d of leaf growth. During the period of most active leaf expansion, salinity reduced reversible compliance and increased compliance in the leaf segments, although responses to salinity were complex and changed over the course of leaf expansion. Salinity increased irreversible compliance more in the salt-sensitive cultivar Arivat than in the more salt-tolerant cultivar Briggs. Elemental analysis of the basal leaf segments used for extensometry revealed an accumulation of Na and a depletion of Ca in segments from salinized plants, resulting in very high Na: Ca ratios in salinized expanding tissue. The concentrations of K and Mg in basal leaf tissue were elevated by salinity. Our data do support the hypothesis that the inhibition of leaf expansion by salinity stress is mediated by a decline in irreversible extensibility. We suggest that reduced Ca availability in expanding leaf tissue may contribute to growth reduction in salt-stressed barley seedlings.     

Application of chlorophyll fluorescence to screen eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) cultivars for salt tolerance

The objective of this study was to investigate the relative salt tolerance of four eggplant cultivars (Solanum melongena L.) by studying chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters during the vegetative growth stage under increasing salinity levels. The plants were grown in pots filled with peat under controlled conditions and were subjected to the salt stress ranging from 0 (control), 20, 40, 80, and 160 mM NaCl for 25 days. The results showed that the increasing NaCl concentration affected hardly the maximum quantum yield of photosystem (PS) II. The quantum yield of PSII (Φ_PSII) decreased significantly in ‘Adriatica’ and ‘Black Beauty’ under the salt stress. The photochemical quenching decreased in ‘Black Beauty’ and nonphotochemical quenching increased in ‘Adriatica’ under the salt stress. The Chl fluorescence parameters did not change significantly under the salt stress in ‘Bonica’ and ‘Galine’, revealing their tolerance to salinity. After 25 days of the salt stress, the plant growth was reduced in all cultivars, however, this decline was more pronounced in ‘Adriatica’ and ‘Black Beauty’. Additionally, a significant correlation between the biomass and Φ_PSII was observed in ‘Adriatica’ and ‘Black Beauty’. Our results suggest that Φ_PSII can be used as a diagnostic tool to identify salt-tolerant egg-plant cultivars.     

Seed Treatment with Auxins Modulates Growth and Ion Partitioning in Salt-stressed Wheat Plants

Experiments were performed to determine whether seed priming with different concentrations （100, 150, and 200 mg/L） of auxins （indoleacetic acid （IAA）, indolebutyric acid （IBA）, or their precursor tryptophane （Trp）） could alter salinity induced perturbances in salicylic acid and ion concentrations and, hence, growth in wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） cultivars, namely M.H.-97 （salt intolerant） and tnqtab-91 （salt tolerant）. Primed and non-primed seeds were sown in Petri dishes in a growth room, as well as in a field treated with 15 dS/m NaCl salinity. All priming agents, except IBA, increased the final germination percentage in both cultivars. The seedlings of either cultivar raised from Trp-treated seeds had greater dry biomass when under salt stress. In field experiments, Trp priming was much more effective in mediating the increase in grain yield, irrespective of the cultivar, under salt stress. The alleviatory effect of Trp was found to be associated with reduced uptake of Na^＋ in the roots and subsequent translocation to the shoots, as well as increased partitioning of Ca^＋ in the roots of salt-stressed wheat plants. Plants of both cultivars raised from Trp-and IAA-treated seeds accumulated free salicylic acid in their leaves when under salt stress. Overall, the Trp priming-induced improvement in germination and the subsequent growth of wheat plants could be related to ion homeostasis when under salt stress. The possible involvement of salicylic acid in the Trp priming-induced better growth under Conditions of salt stress is discussed.     

Differential stress responses to NaCl salt application in early- and late-maturing diploid potato (Solanum sp.) clones

Cultivated tetraploid potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are moderately salt sensitive but greater stress tolerance exists in diploid wild types. However, little work has been published on salt-tolerance in diploid potato. This study utilized sensitive and tolerant diploid potatoes as well as a commercially cultivated potato to investigate mechanisms of stress tolerance. Stem cuttings from salt-tolerant (T) and sensitive (S) clones of early-maturing (EM) and late-maturing (LM) diploid potato clones were stressed for 5 days at the tuber initiation stage with 150 mmol NaCl in a hydroponic sand culture under greenhouse conditions. The stress responses of the early- and late-maturing potato clones were distinctly different. Under stress, early-maturing clones accumulated Na⁺ in the leaf tissues while late-maturing clones generally excluded Na⁺ from the leaf tissues. Salt tolerant clones of both maturity types were able to tolerate high levels of Na⁺ in the leaf tissues. The lower leaves accumulated more Na⁺ than the upper leaves in both maturity types. The potassium to sodium ratio was significantly greater in the leaves of the late-maturing types, reflecting differences in Na⁺ accumulation rather than alterations in K⁺ levels. Proline levels increased upon salt exposure but were not clearly associated with salinity tolerance. Tolerance was manifested in maintenance of vegetative growth, tuber yield, and reduced leaf necrosis. These responses require efficient uptake of water and source–sink translocation. Maintenance of stomatal conductance under stress was not associated with these responses but tuber yield was related to lower-leaf osmotic potential (OP) in both early- and late-maturity types. Salt tolerant clones of both maturity types also had less negative tuber OP under salt stress than sensitive types. High yielding EMT and LMT clones either minimized tuber yield loss or even increased yield after exposure to salt stress. Mechanistic studies and screening experiments for salt tolerant clones should consider maturity type, leaf position and source–sink relationships enhancing tuber yield.     

NaCl胁迫对黄瓜幼苗体内K+、Na+和Cl-分布的影响

采用营养液水培,以2个耐盐性不同的黄瓜品种为材料,研究了不同浓度NaCl处理下幼苗植株体内K 、Na 和Cl-在器官间的区域化分布及其吸收和运输特性的变化。结果表明:NaCl胁迫下,黄瓜植株体内K 含量下降,Na 和Cl-含量升高,变化幅度随NaCl浓度的升高而增大;不同器官间,茎中Na 和Cl-含量最高,上位叶中Na 和Cl-含量最低、K 含量下降幅度最小。与耐盐性较弱的“津春2号”相比,耐盐性较强的“长春密刺”根向茎运输的SK,Na值较高,根系对Na 的截留作用较强,茎向上位叶运输的SK,Na和SCl,Na值均较高,叶片中K 含量下降幅度较小,K/Na和Cl/Na比值均较高,功能叶中盐分离子尤其是Na 积累较少,植株生物量较高。说明根系对Na 的截留能力较强且向上位叶运输Na 的选择性较低,是“长春密刺”耐盐性较强的主要原因之一。     

Effects of salinity and benzyl adenine on development and function of microhairs of Zea mays L

Bicellular microhairs are present on the surfaces of leaves of grasses with the exception of the Pooideae. In some halophytic grasses, these glandular hairs secrete salt, suggesting the intriguing question ‘can the microhairs of grasses that do not normally encounter salinity also secrete salt?’ Microhairs were counted in replicas of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of leaves of various ages of maize plants growing either in the absence of salt or in the presence of 40, 80 or 120 mM NaCl. The number of microhairs per unit area of adaxial leaf surface of the youngest leaf almost doubled as the salinity increased from zero to 120 mM NaCl; on the abaxial surface, the number of microhairs increased by 50%. Spraying this leaf with benzyl adenine (BA) caused, when averaged across salinities and surfaces, a 32% increase in the number of microhairs. Salinity reduced leaf area but in all the salinity treatments, spraying with BA increased the total number of microhairs per leaf. Washing leaves of plants provided estimates of the loss of salt from those leaves. There were large differences between the Na:K molar ratios in the washing solution and the leaf tissue, indicating a high selectivity for sodium over potassium for loss from the leaf. BA did not influence the efficiency of salt loss, expressed per microhair, at any salinity level, but did increase loss per leaf. Thus, BA increased salt loss from plants due to its influence on the number of microhairs and leaf area, but not due to its effect on the efficiency of the secretion process per se.     

Effect of salinity on growth, ion content and CO2 assimilation rate in lemon varieties on different rootstocks

Citrus rootstocks as well as lemon scions differ in their ability to restrict sodium and chloride ions and in their sensitivity to saline stress. To determine the behaviour of different rootstock-scion combinations, 3 lemon cultivars on 3 different rootstocks were grown in containers in a greenhouse and irrigated with 5, 25 and 50 m M NaCl. Growth of the plants and foliar contents of sodium and chloride as well as physiological parameters including transpiration rate, gas exchange, stomatal conductance and chlorophyll content were evaluated. Shoot length of the plants on sour orange and on C. volkameriana showed a greater reduction with salinity than those on C. macrophylla . Accumulation of salt in the leaves was also scion dependent, cv. 'Eureka' having higher concentrations of sodium and chloride than the others. Assimilation rate of CO₂ and stomatal conductance were greatly reduced by salinity in the leaves of Verna and Eureka on sour orange. Gas exchange in the leaves was highly correlated with chloride and sodium contents in all lemon-rootstock combinations. C. macrophylla showed a higher resistance to salinity than C. volkameriana and sour orange. Inferences on the mechanisms of action of salt on lemon trees are discussed.     

Grafting influence on the weight and quality of tomato fruit under salt stress

Two commercial tomato cultivars were used to determine whether grafting could prevent decrease of fruit weight and quality under salt stress conditions. The cultivars Buran F1 and Berberana F1 were grafted onto rootstock ‘Maxifort’ and grown under three levels of elevated soil salinity (EC 3.80 dS m^?1, 6.95 dS m^?1 and 9.12 dS m^?1). Fruit weight reduction of grafted plants was lower (about 20–30%) in comparison with non‐grafted ones. Salt stress at the second salinity level (EC 6.95 dS m^?1) induced the highest alteration of examined growth and quality parameters. The total increase of phenols, flavonoids, ascorbate and lycopene content in the fruits of both grafted and non‐grafted plants for both cultivars had a similar trend and intensity, though some inter‐cultivar variation was observed. The possibility of grafting tomato plants to improve salt tolerance without fruit quality loss is discussed.     

NaCl胁迫对醋栗番茄、樱桃番茄和番茄幼苗生长、叶片气体交换和离子平衡的影响

以醋栗番茄( Solanum pimpinellifolium Linn.)、樱桃番茄品种‘秦皇贵妃红’( S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme‘Qinhuangguifeihong’)和番茄品种‘浙粉202’(S. lycopersicum‘Zhefen 202’)幼苗为材料,研究了0(对照)、100、200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫对其生长、叶片气体交换参数和离子平衡的影响。结果表明：在100和200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下,‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’幼苗单株总干质量的降幅较大,醋栗番茄的降幅较小。 NaCl胁迫明显增加醋栗番茄幼苗的根冠比,但不同胁迫条件下‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’幼苗的根冠比差异不显著。与对照相比,在100 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下,醋栗番茄幼苗叶片的净光合速率( Pn)、胞间CO2浓度( Ci)和蒸腾速率( Tr)的降幅明显低于‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’,而醋栗番茄幼苗叶片气孔导度(Gs)的降幅明显高于后二者;在200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下,三者叶片Pn、Gs、Ci和Tr值的降幅接近。在100和200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下,醋栗番茄、‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’幼苗叶片的水分利用效率和气孔限制值均较各自对照显著升高,其中‘秦皇贵妃红’的增幅最大。在100和200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下,醋栗番茄、‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’幼苗根、茎和叶中Na+含量均较各自对照显著升高,而K+含量和K+/Na+比总体上较各自对照显著降低。与对照相比,经不同浓度NaCl处理后醋栗番茄幼苗根、茎和叶的Na+含量增幅以及K+含量降幅在供试3种植物中均最小,而其不同部位的K+/ Na+比总体上较高。上述研究结果表明：醋栗番茄的耐盐性较强,‘秦皇贵妃红’次之,‘浙粉202’较弱。 NaCl胁迫显著抑制‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’幼苗根的生长,但显著促进醋栗番茄幼苗根的生长,使其维持较强的耐盐性,且NaCl胁迫下醋栗番茄对Na+的吸收和运输减少,以维持体内的离子平衡及较强的光合作用。     

Effect of salinisation of soil on growth and macro- and micro-nutrient accumulation in seedlings of Acacia catechu (Mimosaceae)

The effects of salinisation of soil on Acacia catechu (Mimosaceae) were studied by means of emergence and growth of seedlings and pattern of mineral accumulation. A mixture of chlorides and sulphates of Na, K, Ca and Mg was added to the soil and salinity was maintained at 4.1, 6.3, 8.2,10.1 and 12.2 dSm⁻¹. A negative relationship between proportion of seed germination and salt concentration was obtained. Seedlings did not emerge when soil salinity exceeded 10.1 dSm⁻¹. Results suggested that this tree species is salt tolerant at the seed germination stage. Seedlings survived and grew up to soil salinity of 10.1 dSm⁻¹, which suggests that this species is salt tolerant at the seedling stage too. Elongation of stem and root was retarded by increasing salt stress. Among the tissues, young roots and stem were most tolerant to salt stress and were followed by old roots and leaves, successively. Leaf tissue exhibited maximum reduction in dry mass production in response to increasing salt stress. However, production of young roots and death of old roots were found to be continuous and plants apparently use this process as an avoidance mechanism to remove excess ions and delay onset of ion accumulation in this tissue. This phenomenon, designated “fine root turnover”, is of importance to the mechanisms of salt tolerance. Plants accumulated Na in roots and were able to regulate transfer of Na ions to leaves. Stem tissues were a barrier for translocation of Na from root to leaf. Moreover, K was affected in response to salinity; it rapidly decreased in root tissues with increased salinisation. Nitrogen content decreased in all tissues (leaf, stem and root) in response to low water treatment and salinisation of soil. Phosphorus content significantly decreased, while Ca increased in leaves as soil salinity increased. Changes in tissue and whole plant accumulation patterns of the other elements tested, as well as possible mechanisms for avoidance of Na toxicity in this tree species during salinisation, are discussed.     

Sodium and Cation Accumulation by Senna (Cassia acutifolia)

Senna plants, native to the arid parts of the northern Sudan,were analysed for mineral cations. Plants tended to accumulate salts in tops, particularly whengrowing in saline soils. Highest concentrations of salts (mostlyCa and Na) were in the leaves with a gradient from bottom totop leaves. Variation in the cation sum was associated withboth Ca and Na contents. Under high salinity, plant growth was reduced without injurysymptoms, but with shedding of some lower leaves. The same symptomswere also noted in plants subjected to soil moisture stress.It is therefore postulated that lower leaf shedding is a physiologicalmeasure for reducing plant salt level and transpiration.     

Seed Treatment with Auxins Modulates Growth and Ion Partitioning in Salt-stressed Wheat Plants

Experiments were performed to determine whether seed priming with different concentrations (100, 150, and 200 mg/L) ofauxins (indoleacetic acid (IAA), indolebutyric acid (IBA), or their precursor tryptophane (Trp)) could alter salinity inducedperturbances in salicylic acid and ion concentrations and, hence, growth in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, namelyM. H.-97 (salt intolerant) and Inqlab-91 (salt tolerant). Primed and non-primed seeds were sown in Petri dishes in a growthroom, as well as in a field treated with 15 dS/m NaCl salinity. All priming agents, except IBA, increased the final germinationpercentage in both cultivars. The seedlings of either cultivar raised from Trp-treated seeds had greater dry biomass whenunder salt stress. In field experiments, Trp priming was much more effective in mediating the increase in grain yield,irrespective of the cultivar, under salt stress. The alleviatory effect of Trp was found to be associated with reduced uptakeof Na~ in the roots and subsequent translocation to the shoots, as well as increased partitioning of Ca~(2 )in the roots ofsalt-stressed wheat plants. Plants of both cultivars raised from Trp-and IAA-treated seeds accumulated free salicylic acidin their leaves when under salt stress. Overall, the Trp priming-induced improvement in germination and the subsequentgrowth of wheat plants could be related to ion homeostasis when under salt stress. The possible involvement of salicylicacid in the Trp priming-induced better growth under conditions of salt stress is discussed.     

Contribution of NaCl excretion to salt resistance of Aeluropus littoralis (Willd) Parl

Aeluropus littoralis is a perennial halophyte, native to coastal zones. Although it is usually exposed to high saline, this plant grows normally without toxicity symptoms. In order to assess leaf salt excretion, different growth parameters, Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+) and Cl(-) concentrations, as well as excreted ions were examined in plants grown for 2 months in the presence of various salinity levels (0-800 mM NaCl). In addition, salt crystals, salt glands and other leaf epidermal structures were investigated. Results showed that total plant growth decreased linearly with increase to medium salinity. This reduction concerns mainly shoot growth. In addition, this species was able to maintain its shoot water content at nearly 50% of the control even when subjected to 800 mM NaCl. Root water content seemed to be unaffected by salt. Sodium and chloride ion contents in shoots and in roots increased with salinity concentrations, in contrast to our observation for potassium. However, calcium and magnesium contents were not greatly affected by salinity. Excreted salts in A. littoralis leaves were in favor of sodium and chloride, but against potassium, calcium and magnesium which were retained in plants. Sodium and chloride were excreted from special salt glands, which were scattered on the both leaf surfaces. In addition to salt glands, papillae were the most frequent epidermal structure found on A. littoralis leaves, and are likely involved in A. littoralis salt resistance.     

盐胁迫下水稻叶绿体中Na+、Cl-积累导致叶片净光合速率下降

研究了0-200mmol/L的NaCl胁迫下耐盐性不同的水稻品种Pokkali(耐盐）和Peta(盐敏感）根系,叶片和叶绿体中Na^ ,K^ 和Cl^-含量的变化及其与叶片光合作用的关系。结果表明：随着NaCl胁迫时间和浓度的增加,供试2个品种在根,叶片和叶绿体中Na^ ,Cl^－含量增加,K^ 含量下降。耐盐品种体内Na^ ,Cl^－含量增加或K^ 含量减少的幅度小于盐敏感品种。在200mmol/L的NaCl胁迫下盐敏感品种根,叶片和叶绿体中的Na^ /K^ 分别是耐盐品种的208％,308％和297％。与Na^ 相比,耐盐品种根系对K^ 吸收和向叶片运输的选择性（SK,Na)较强。但在经过0,100和200mmol/L的NaCl处理后2个品种叶绿体中的Na^ /K^ 均高于叶片（SK,Na均小于1）。盐胁迫下水稻叶绿体中Na^ ,Cl^-含量和Na^ /K^ 与叶片净光合速度呈极显著负相关。     

盐胁迫下不同基因型番茄可溶性物质含量的变化

以两种野生番茄秘鲁番茄(Lycopersicon peruvianum LAlll)、潘那利番茄(Lycopersicon pennellii LA716)和两种栽培番茄"鲜丰98-7"、"交农1号"为材料,用NaCl 150 mmol/L进行盐胁迫,测定及分析了植株体内Na 、K 、Ca2 等无机离子和某些有机溶质游离脯氨酸、可溶性糖的含量.结果表明,盐胁迫条件下,野生番茄在新叶中积累了大量的Na 等无机离子,而栽培番茄新叶内脯氨酸和可溶性糖的含量却显著提高,且它具有将吸收的Na 区域化到老叶中的能力.说明野生番茄和栽培番茄在可溶性物质的合成和积累能力上有明显差异,它们是通过不同代谢途径和机理来适应盐环境的.     

Investigation of the salt tolerance of new Polish bread and durum wheat cultivars

In some regions of the world, low annual precipitation necessitates irrigation of crop plants which usually leads to soil salinity. Due to climatic changes this effect is also expected in the countries of Central Europe, and so in Poland. The aim of the study was (1) to compare tolerance to salt stress of Polish Triticum aestivum cvs. ‘Bogatka’ and ‘Banderola’ with T. durum cv. ‘Komnata’ and breeding line 121, and (2) to indicate the physiological parameter/parameters most suitable for such comparison. The investigation was performed in two experiments. In the first one, the germination ability of caryopses and coleoptiles’ growth were estimated at 0–250 mM of NaCl. The second experiment was conducted on plants grown in a glasshouse in saline soil at 0–150 mM of NaCl for 6 weeks. Salt tolerance was evaluated on the basis of following parameters: chlorophyll fluorescence, net photosynthesis rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (g _s), cell membrane permeability (EL), proline content, fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), and relative water content (RWC). Highest germination of caryopses of durum cultivars was recorded at all the salinity levels; however, their coleoptiles were shorter than coleoptiles of bread wheat cultivars. Analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence showed that applied salt doses did not disturb the light phase of photosynthesis in all cultivars under study. Plants of durum wheat showed the higher dissipation of energy excess at the level of the antenna chlorophyll (DIo/CSm) under salinity as compared to plants of bread wheat. Both ‘Komnata’ and line 121 showed stronger P _N reduction as an effect of salinity. A decline of P _N was closely connected with a decrease in g _s. The P _N correlated with a decrease in DW in all studied cultivars except ‘Bogatka’. Control plants of ‘Komnata’ and line 121 were characterized by higher EL and proline level than bread wheat cultivars. An increasing cell membrane permeability correlated with a decrease of RWC in ‘Banderola’ and ‘Komnata’. The content of proline under the increasing salinity correlated with changes of RWC in ‘Banderola’, ‘Komnata’ and line 121, which indicate protectoral role of proline against dehydration of tissue. Dry weight and RWC seem to be the parameters most useful in the salt-tolerance estimation of wheat plants. Taking into account the studied parameters ‘Banderola’ could be recognized as more salt tolerant, the degree of salinity tolerance of ‘Bogatka’ is the same as line 121, while ‘Komnata’ seems to be the most salt sensitive. The salt tolerance of T. aestivum and T. durum depends on the cultivar rather than the wheat species.     

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for physiological and biochemical attributes in a Pasban90/Frontana recombinant inbred lines (RILs) population of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under salt stress condition

Salt stress causes nutritional imbalance and ion toxicity which affects wheat growth and production. A population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were developed by crossing Pasban90 (salt tolerant) and Frontana (salt suceptible) for identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for physiological traits including relative water content, membrane stability index, water potential, osmotic potential, total chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and biochemical traits including proline contents, superoxide dismutase, sodium content, potassium content, chloride content and sodium/potassium ratio by tagging 202 polymorphic simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers. Linkage map of RILs comprised of 21 linkage group covering A, B and D genome for tagging and maped a total of 60 QTLs with major and minor effect. B genome contributed to the highest number of QTLs under salt stress condition. Xgwm70 and Xbarc361 mapped on chromosome 6B was linked with Total chlorophyll, water potential and sodium content. The increasing allele for all these QTLs were advanced from parent Pasban90. Current study showed that Genome B and D had more potentially active genes conferring plant tolerance against salinity stress which may be exploited for marker assisted selection to breed salinity tolerant high yielding wheat varieties.     

Additive effects of Na+ and Cl- ions on barley growth under salinity stress

Soil salinity affects large areas of the world's cultivated land, causing significant reductions in crop yield. Despite the fact that most plants accumulate both sodium (Na(+)) and chloride (Cl(-)) ions in high concentrations in their shoot tissues when grown in saline soils, most research on salt tolerance in annual plants has focused on the toxic effects of Na(+) accumulation. It has previously been suggested that Cl(-) toxicity may also be an important cause of growth reduction in barley plants. Here, the extent to which specific ion toxicities of Na(+) and Cl(-) reduce the growth of barley grown in saline soils is shown under varying salinity treatments using four barley genotypes differing in their salt tolerance in solution and soil-based systems. High Na(+), Cl(-), and NaCl separately reduced the growth of barley, however, the reductions in growth and photosynthesis were greatest under NaCl stress and were mainly additive of the effects of Na(+) and Cl(-) stress. The results demonstrated that Na(+) and Cl(-) exclusion among barley genotypes are independent mechanisms and different genotypes expressed different combinations of the two mechanisms. High concentrations of Na(+) reduced K(+) and Ca(2+) uptake and reduced photosynthesis mainly by reducing stomatal conductance. By comparison, high Cl(-) concentration reduced photosynthetic capacity due to non-stomatal effects: there was chlorophyll degradation, and a reduction in the actual quantum yield of PSII electron transport which was associated with both photochemical quenching and the efficiency of excitation energy capture. The results also showed that there are fundamental differences in salinity responses between soil and solution culture, and that the importance of the different mechanisms of salt damage varies according to the system under which the plants were grown.