Salt-induced Changes in the Distribution of Amyloplasts in the Root Cap of Excised Pea Roots in Culture

The effects of 120 mM NaCl on the anatomy and ultrastructureof the root tip of cultured excised pea roots was investigatedafter 24 h exposure to salinity. In the meristematic cells mitochondrialdamage was apparent and these cells showed increased vacuolation.The root cap was already severely affected after 24 h exposureto salinity and clumping of the cap amyloplasts around the cellnuclei was apparent. The possibility that salinity may affectroot gravitropic responses is discussed. Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska, salinity, roots, root culture, amyloplasts, ultrastructure