Comparative physiology of salt and water stress

Yield and yield components of hybrid corn (Zea mays L.) as affected by mycorrhizal symbiosis and zinc sulfate under drought stress

With respect to the significance of improving hybrid corn performance under stress, this experiment was conducted at the Islamic Azad University, Arak Branch, Iran. A complete randomized block design with three levels of irrigations (at 100%, 75% and 50% crop water requirement), two levels of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Glumus intraradisis) (including control), and three levels of zinc (Zn) sulfate (0, 25 and 45 kg ha(-1)), was performed. Results of the 2-year experiments indicated that irrigation treatment significantly affected corn yield and its components at P = 1%. AM fungi and increasing Zn levels also resulted in similar effects on corn growth and production. Although AM fungi did not significantly affect corn growth at the non-stressed irrigation treatment, at moderate drought stress AM fungi significantly enhanced corn quality and yield relative to the control treatment. The combined effects of AM fungi and Zn sulfate at 45 kg ha(-1) application significantly affected corn growth and production. In addition, the tripartite treatments significantly enhanced corn yield at P = 1%. Effects of Zn and AM fungi on plant growth under drought stress is affected by the stress level.

Differential responses of saltbush Atriplex halimus L. exposed to salinity and water stress in relation to senescing hormones abscisic acid and ethylene

Drought and salinity induce water deficit, but may also have distinct effects on plant metabolism. To compare their impact on leaf senescence in relation to ABA and ethylene synthesis, young plants of Atriplex halimus L. were exposed to iso-osmotic concentrations of NaCl (160mM) or PEG (15%) in nutrient solution. Plant growth and development were more affected by PEG than by NaCl. Stressed plants remained able to reduce their osmotic potential, but the nature of accumulated organic osmocompatible solutes varied according to the stressing agent. Glycinebetaine accumulated to a greater extent in salt-treated plants than in water-stressed plants. Sodium chloride induced the accumulation of non-reducing sucrose, while PEG-treated plants mainly accumulated reducing glucose and fructose. Abscisic acid (ABA) accumulated in response to salt, while ethylene was synthesized mainly by PEG-treated plants and was involved in the induction of early senescence processes characterized by synthesis of reactive oxygen species, peroxidation of membrane lipids and a decrease in chlorophyll content. ABA sensitivity of stressed tissues was markedly different in response to salt and in response to non-ionic osmotic stress, and exogenous ABA (50μM) had contrasting effects on most physiological parameters depending on the stressing agent. Exogenous ABA induced a decrease in root and shoot growth and sucrose content, and an increase in reactive oxygen species content in salt-stressed plants. In contrast, exogenous ABA increased growth in PEG-treated plants in relation to an improvement of water use efficiency resulting from a more efficient stomatal control. Exogenous ABA increased ethylene synthesis in salt-treated plants, but had only marginal impact on PEG-treated ones. The xero-halophyte A. halimus thus responds in a contrasting way to salt and water stress, through accumulation of distinct osmocompatible solutes and hormonal compounds such as ethylene and ABA could play distinct roles in stress-induced senescence processes.

Sesuvium portulacastrum maintains adequate gas exchange, pigment composition, and thylakoid proteins under moderate and high salinity

Cuttings of Sesuvium portulacastrum L. (Aizoaceae) were taken from plants cultivated under severe saline conditions. The obtained seedlings were grown on sand and irrigated with nutrient solution over 5 weeks under no (0 mM NaCl), moderate (200 mM NaCl), or high (400 mM NaCl) salinity conditions. A follow-up of gas exchange was performed weekly and pigment levels and patterns of fully expanded leaves were determined after 3 and 5 weeks of treatment. At the end of the 5-week period, immunoblot analysis of the main polypeptides of photosystem I and II was performed with the aim to investigate salt-induced variations in photosystem composition. Net CO2 assimilation rate (Pn) increased under salinity up to 3 weeks of treatment then decreased to reach the value of 0mM-treated plants at the end of the experiment. For stomatal conductance (gs) and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), the opposite occurred. These results were concomitant with an increase in practically all pigment levels, mainly under high salinity, with the exception of zeaxanthin. The de-epoxidation index (DEPS index) was much lower under saline than non-saline conditions in the 3rd week, indicating light stress in 0mM-treated plants. At the end of the experiment, this index showed much lower values with no significant differences between treatments, which coincided with no significant differences in gas exchange as well. Protein amounts of D1, CP47, and CP43 did not show noticeable variations with salt treatment, whereas LHCII underwent a slight but significant decrease (-15%) at the highest NaCl concentration. LHCI polypeptides were unaffected by the salt treatments, where conversely, the highest concentration induced a significant decrease in PsaA/B amount (-18%).

Biodiversity of Archaea and floral of two inland saltern ecosystems in the Alto Vinalopó Valley, Spain

Background

The extraction of salt from seawater by means of coastal solar salterns is a very well-described process. Moreover, the characterization of these environments from ecological, biochemical and microbiological perspectives has become a key focus for many research groups all over the world over the last 20 years. In countries such as Spain, there are several examples of coastal solar salterns (mainly on the Mediterranean coast) and inland solar salterns, from which sodium chloride is obtained for human consumption. However, studies focused on the characterization of inland solar salterns are scarce and both the archaeal diversity and the plant communities inhabiting these environments remain poorly described.

Results

Two of the inland solar salterns (termed Redonda and Penalva), located in the Alto Vinalopó Valley (Alicante, Spain), were characterized regarding their geological and physico-chemical characteristics and their archaeal and botanical biodiversity. A preliminary eukaryotic diversity survey was also performed using saline water. The chemical characterization of the brine has revealed that the salted groundwater extracted to fill these inland solar salterns is thalassohaline. The plant communities living in this environment are dominated by Sarcocornia fruticosa (L.) A.J. Scott, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moris) K. Koch, Suaeda vera Forsk. ex Gmelin (Amaranthaceae) and several species of Limonium (Mill) and Tamarix (L). Archaeal diversity was analyzed and compared by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular phylogenetic techniques. Most of the sequences recovered from environmental DNA samples are affiliated with haloarchaeal genera such as Haloarcula, Halorubrum, Haloquadratum and Halobacterium, and with an unclassified member of the Halobacteriaceae. The eukaryote Dunaliella was also present in the samples.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this study constitutes the first analysis centered on inland solar salterns located in the southeastern region of Spain. The results obtained revealed that the salt deposits of this region have marine origins. Plant communities typical of salt marshes are present in this ecosystem and members of the Halobacteriaceae family can be easily detected in the microbial populations of these habitats. Possible origins of the haloarchaea detected in this study are discussed.

Sex-specific responses and tolerances of Populus cathayana to salinity

Responses of males and females to salinity were studied in order to reveal sex-specific adaptation and evolution in Populus cathayana Rehd cuttings. This dioecious tree species plays an important role in maintaining ecological stability and providing commercial raw material in southwest China. Female and male cuttings of P. cathayana were treated for about 1 month with 0, 75 and 150 mM NaCl. Plant growth traits, gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll pigments, intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi), membrane system injuries, ion transport and ultrastructural morphology were assessed and compared between sexes. Salt stress caused less negative effects on the dry matter accumulation, growth rate of height, growth rate of stem base diameter, total number of leaves and photosynthetic abilities in males than in females. Relative electrolyte leakage increased more in females than in males under salinity stress. Soil salinity reduced the amounts of leaf chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll, and the chlorophyll a/b ratio more in females than in males. WUEi decreased in both sexes under salinity. Regarding the ultrastructural morphology, thylakoid swelling in chloroplasts and degrading structures in mitochondria were more frequent in females than in males. Moreover, females exhibited significantly higher Na(+) and Cl(-) concentrations in leaves and stems, but lower concentrations in roots than did males under salinity. In all, female cuttings of P. cathayana are more sensitive to salinity stress than males, which could be partially due to males having a better ability to restrain Na(+) transport from roots to shoots than do females.

Growth, ion composition, and stomatal conductance of peas exposed to salinity

Availability of irrigation water of appropriate quality is becoming critical in many regions. Excess salt in irrigation water represents a risk for crop yield, crop quality, and soil properties. During the short vegetation period, field peas require high amounts of water, and irrigation is often indispensable for successful production. Steady presence of NaCl (0.1, 0.2, 0.6 or 1.2 g NaCl L−1 in 1/2 strength Hoagland nutrient solution) under semi-controlled conditions reduced growth and resulted in shorter vegetation. Disturbances in the peas’ water regime were provoked by NaCl, as water content in pea tissues was reduced and stomatal density and stomatal diffusive resistance increased in the presence of higher NaCl concentrations. Concentration of Na+ increased in all pea tissues with increased NaCl concentration in the nutrient medium. In the presence of NaCl, concentrations of K+, Ca2+ and Pi increased in roots, stems and leaves, and decreased and in pods and grains. Concentration ratios Na+/K+, Na+/Ca2+, K+/Ca2+ and (Na++K+)/Ca2+ in various plant parts were affected as well, but magnitudes of changes were variable. Continuous presence of NaCl in concentrations frequently met in irrigation waters significantly reduced pea growth, impaired the water regime, and altered plant chemical composition.

Metabolome and water homeostasis analysis of Thellungiella salsuginea suggests that dehydration tolerance is a key response to osmotic stress in this halophyte

Thellungiella salsuginea, a Brassicaceae species closely related to Arabidopsis thaliana, is tolerant to high salinity. The two species were compared under conditions of osmotic stress to assess the relationships between stress tolerance, the metabolome, water homeostasis and growth performance. A broad range of metabolites were analysed by metabolic fingerprinting and profiling, and the results showed that, despite a few notable differences in raffinose and secondary metabolites, the same metabolic pathways were regulated by salt stress in both species. The main difference was quantitative: Thellungiella had much higher levels of most metabolites than Arabidopsis whatever the treatment. Comprehensive quantification of organic and mineral solutes showed a relative stability of the total solute content regardless of the species or treatment, meaning that little or no osmotic adjustment occurred under stress. The reduction in osmotic potential observed in plants under stress was found to result from a passive loss of water. Thellungiella shoots contain less water than Arabidopsis shoots, and have the ability to lose more water, which could contribute to maintain a water potential gradient between soil and plant. Significant differences between Thellungiella and Arabidopsis were also observed in terms of the physicochemical properties of their metabolomes, such as water solubility and polarity. On the whole, the Thellungiella metabolome appears to be more compatible with dehydration. Osmotic stress was also found to impact the metabolome properties in both species, increasing the overall polarity. Together, the results suggest that Thellungiella copes with osmotic stress by tolerating dehydration, with its metabolic configuration lending itself to osmoprotective strategies rather than osmo-adjustment.

Involvement of ethylene and hydrogen peroxide in induction of alternative respiratory pathway in salt-treated Arabidopsis calluses

The role of ethylene and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the induction of the alternative respiratory pathway (AP) in calluses from wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis and ethylene-insensitive mutant etr1-3 under salt stress was investigated. The capacity and the contribution of the AP to the total respiration were significantly induced by 100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) in WT calluses but only slightly induced in etr1-3 calluses. Ethylene emission was enhanced in WT calluses under salt stress. Application of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (an ethylene precursor) further increased the AP capacity in WT calluses but not in etr1-3 calluses under salt stress. Reduction of ethylene production by aminooxyacetic acid (AOA, an ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor) in WT calluses eliminated the NaCl-induced increase of ethylene emission and inhibited AP induction under salt stress, suggesting that ethylene is required for AP induction. H₂O₂ enhanced ethylene production while ethylene reduced H₂O₂ generation in WT calluses under salt stress. In addition, ethylene and H₂O₂ modulated NaCl-induced alternative oxidase gene (AOX1a) expression and the increase in pyruvate content in WT calluses. Inhibition of the AP by salicylhydroxamic acid in WT calluses under salt stress resulted in severe cellular damage as indicated by the high content of H₂O₂, malondialdehyde and more electrolyte leakage. Taken together, ethylene and H₂O₂ are involved in the salt-induced increase of the AP, which plays an important role in salt tolerance in WT calluses, and ethylene may be acting downstream of H₂O₂.

Expression of yeast Hem1 gene controlled by Arabidopsis HemA1 promoter improves salt tolerance in Arabidopsis plants

5-Aminolevulinate (ALA) is well-known as an essential biosynthetic precursor of all tetrapyrrole compounds, which has been suggested to improve plant salt tolerance by exogenous application. In this work, the gene encoding aminolevulinate synthase (ALA-S) in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hem1) was introduced into the genome of Arabidopsis controlled by the Arabidopsis thaliana HemA1 gene promoter. All transgenic lines were able to transcribe the YHem1 gene, especially under light condition. The chimeric protein (YHem1-EGFP) was found co-localizing with the mitochondria in onion epidermal cells. The transgenic Arabidopsis plants could synthesize more endogenous ALA with higher levels of metabolites including chlorophyll and heme. When the T(2) homozygous seeds were cultured under NaCl stress, their germination and seedling growth were much better than the wild type. Therefore, introduction of ALA-S gene led to higher level of ALA metabolism with more salt tolerance in higher plants.

Overexpression of osmotin gene confers tolerance to salt and drought stresses in transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abiotic stresses, especially salinity and drought, are major limiting factors for plant growth and crop productivity. In an attempt to develop salt and drought tolerant tomato, a DNA cassette containing tobacco osmotin gene driven by a cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter was transferred to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Putative T0 transgenic plants were screened by PCR analysis. The selected transformants were evaluated for salt and drought stress tolerance by physiological analysis at T1 and T2 generations. Integration of the osmotin gene in transgenic T1 plants was verified by Southern blot hybridization. Transgenic expression of the osmotin gene was verified by RT-PCR and northern blotting in T1 plants. T1 progenies from both transformed and untransformed plants were tested for salt and drought tolerance by subjecting them to different levels of NaCl stress and by withholding water supply, respectively. Results from different physiological tests demonstrated enhanced tolerance to salt and drought stresses in transgenic plants harboring the osmotin gene as compared to the wild-type plants. The transgenic lines showed significantly higher relative water content, chlorophyll content, proline content, and leaf expansion than the wild-type plants under stress conditions. The present investigation clearly shows that overexpression of osmotin gene enhances salt and drought stress tolerance in transgenic tomato plants.

Changes in sulphur metabolism of grey poplar (Populus x canescens) leaves during salt stress: a metabolic link to photorespiration

The poplar hybrid Populus x canescens (syn. Populus tremula x Populus alba) was subjected to salt stress by applying 75 mM NaCl for 2 weeks in hydroponic cultures. Decreasing maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) indicated damage of photosystem II (PS II), which was more pronounced under nitrate compared with ammonium nutrition. In vivo staining with diaminobenzidine showed no accumulation of H(2)O(2) in the leaf lamina; moreover, staining intensity even decreased. But at the leaf margins, development of necrotic tissue was associated with a strong accumulation of H(2)O(2). Glutathione (GSH) contents increased in response to NaCl stress in leaves but not in roots, the primary site of salt exposure. The increasing leaf GSH concentrations correlated with stress-induced decreases in transpiration and net CO(2) assimilation rates at light saturation. Enhanced rates of photorespiration could also be involved in preventing reactive oxygen species formation in chloroplasts and, thus, in protecting PS II from damage. Accumulation of Gly and Ser in leaves indeed indicates increasing rates of photorespiration. Since Ser and Gly are both immediate precursors of GSH that can limit GSH synthesis, it is concluded that the salt-induced accumulation of leaf GSH results from enhanced photorespiration and is thus probably restricted to the cytosol.

Antioxidative responses of Ocimum basilicum to sodium chloride or sodium sulphate salinization

Soils and ground water in nature are dominated by chloride and sulphate salts. There have been several studies concerning NaCl salinity, however, little is known about the Na(2)SO(4) one. The effects on antioxidative activities of chloride or sodium sulphate in terms of the same Na(+) equivalents (25 mM Na(2)SO(4) and 50 mM NaCl) were studied on 30 day-old plants of Ocimum basilicum L., variety Genovese subjected to 15 and 30 days of treatment. Growth, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), relative ion leakage ratio (RLR), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), ascorbate and glutathione contents as well as the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11); glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2) and peroxidases (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) were determined. In leaves, growth was more depressed by 25 mM Na(2)SO(4) than 50 mM NaCl. The higher sensitivity of basil to Na(2)SO(4) was associated with an enhanced accumulation of H(2)O(2), an inhibition of APX, GR and POD activities (with the exception of POD under the 30-day-treatment) and a lower regeneration of reduced ascorbate (AsA) and reduced glutathione (GSH). However, the changes in the antioxidant metabolism were enough to limit oxidative damage, explaining the fact that RLR and TBARS levels were unchanged under both Na(2)SO(4) and NaCl treatment. Moreover, for both salts the 30-day-treatment reduced H(2)O(2) accumulation, unchanged RLR and TBARS levels, and enhanced the levels of antioxidants and antioxidative enzymes, thus achieving an adaptation mechanism against reactive oxygen species.

Effect of salinity and water stress during the reproductive stage on growth, ion concentrations, Delta 13C, and delta 15N of durum wheat and related amphiploids

The physiological performance of durum wheat and two related amphiploids was studied during the reproductive stage under different combinations of salinity and irrigation. One triticale, one tritordeum, and four durum wheat genotypes were grown in pots in the absence of stress until heading, when six different treatments were imposed progressively. Treatments resulted from the combination of two irrigation regimes (100% and 35% of container water capacity) with three levels of water salinity (1.8, 12, and 17 dS m(-1)), and were maintained for nearly 3 weeks. Gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence and content were measured prior to harvest; afterwards shoot biomass and height were recorded, and Delta(13)C, delta(15)N, and the concentration of nitrogen (N), phosphorus, and several ions (K(+), Na(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+)) were analysed in shoot material. Compared with control conditions (full irrigation with Hoagland normal) all other treatments inhibited photosynthesis through stomatal closure, accelerated senescence, and decreased biomass. Full irrigation with 12 dS m(-1) outperformed other stress treatments in terms of biomass production and physiological performance. Biomass correlated positively with N and delta(15)N, and negatively with Na(+) across genotypes and fully irrigated treatments, while relationships across deficit irrigation conditions were weaker or absent. Delta(13)C did not correlate with biomass across treatments, but it was the best trait correlating with phenotypic differences in biomass within treatments. Tritordeum produced more biomass than durum wheat in all treatments. Its low Delta(13)C and high K(+)/Na(+) ratio, together with a high potential growth, may underlie this finding. Mechanisms relating delta(15)N and Delta(13)C to biomass are discussed.

New phenotyping methods for screening wheat and barley for beneficial responses to water deficit

This review considers stomatal conductance as an indicator of genotypic differences in the growth response to water stress. The benefits of using stomatal conductance are compared with photosynthetic rate and other indicators of genetic variation in water stress tolerance, along with the use of modern phenomics technologies. Various treatments for screening for genetic diversity in response to water deficit in controlled environments are considered. There is no perfect medium: there are pitfalls in using soil in pots, and in using hydroponics with ionic and non-ionic osmotica. Use of mixed salts or NaCl is recommended over non-ionic osmotica. Developments in infrared thermography provide new and feasible screening methods for detecting genetic variation in the stomatal response to water deficit in controlled environments and in the field.

A comparative study of salt tolerance parameters in 11 wild relatives of Arabidopsis thaliana

Salinity is an abiotic stress that limits both yield and the expansion of agricultural crops to new areas. In the last 20 years our basic understanding of the mechanisms underlying plant tolerance and adaptation to saline environments has greatly improved owing to active development of advanced tools in molecular, genomics, and bioinformatics analyses. However, the full potential of investigative power has not been fully exploited, because the use of halophytes as model systems in plant salt tolerance research is largely neglected. The recent introduction of halophytic Arabidopsis-Relative Model Species (ARMS) has begun to compare and relate several unique genetic resources to the well-developed Arabidopsis model. In a search for candidates to begin to understand, through genetic analyses, the biological bases of salt tolerance, 11 wild relatives of Arabidopsis thaliana were compared: Barbarea verna, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Hirschfeldia incana, Lepidium densiflorum, Malcolmia triloba, Lepidium virginicum, Descurainia pinnata, Sisymbrium officinale, Thellungiella parvula, Thellungiella salsuginea (previously T. halophila), and Thlaspi arvense. Among these species, highly salt-tolerant (L. densiflorum and L. virginicum) and moderately salt-tolerant (M. triloba and H. incana) species were identified. Only T. parvula revealed a true halophytic habitus, comparable to the better studied Thellungiella salsuginea. Major differences in growth, water transport properties, and ion accumulation are observed and discussed to describe the distinctive traits and physiological responses that can now be studied genetically in salt stress research.

Strong positive growth responses to salinity by Ceriops tagal, a commonly occurring mangrove of the Gujarat coast of India

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Mangroves of Western Gujarat (India) are subject to die-back. Salinity intolerance is one possible cause, especially in young plants. We therefore quantified the extent to which young plants of one widely occurring mangrove species (Ceriops tagal) tolerate high salt in terms of establishment, growth, water status, proline content and mineral accumulation.

METHODOLOGY

In a greenhouse study, juvenile plants were established from mature propagules over 40 days in soil containing added NaCl, raising soil water salinity to 0.2, 2.5, 5.1, 7.7, 10.3, 12.6, 15.4, 17.9, 20.5 and 23.0 ppt (w/v). Growth and physiological characteristics were monitored over the subsequent 6 months.

PRINCIPAL RESULTS

Despite a negative relationship between the percentage of young plant establishment and salt concentration (50 % loss at 22.3 ppt), the remaining plants proved highly tolerant. Growth, in dry weight, was significantly promoted by low salinity, which is optimal at 12.6 ppt. Water content, leaf expansion and dry matter accumulation in tissues followed a similar optimum curve with leaf area being doubled at 12.6 ppt NaCl. Salinity >12.6 and <23 ppt inhibited plant growth, but never to below control levels. Root:shoot dry weight ratios were slightly reduced by salinity (maximum 19 %), but the water potential of roots, leaves and stems became more negative as salinity increases while proline increases in all tissues. The concentration of Na increased, whereas concentrations of K, Ca, N and P decreased and that of Mg remained stable.

CONCLUSIONS

Ceriops tagal has a remarkably high degree of salinity tolerance, and shows an optimal growth when soil water salinity is 12.6 ppt. Salinity tolerance is linked to an adaptive regulation of hydration and ionic content. The cause of localized die-back along the coastal region of Gujarat is thus unlikely to be a primary outcome of salinity stress although amendments with Ca and K, and perhaps proline, may help protect against extreme salinity.

Differences in efficient metabolite management and nutrient metabolic regulation between wild and cultivated barley grown at high salinity

Physiological and biochemical responses of Hordeum maritimum and H. vulgare to salt stress were studied over a 60-h period. Growth at increasing salinity levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 mM NaCl) was assessed in hydroponic culture. H. maritimum was shown to be a true halophyte via its typical behaviour at high salinity. Shoot growth of cultivated barley was gradually reduced with increasing salinity, whereas that of wild barley was enhanced at 100 and 200 mm NaCl then slightly reduced at 300 mM NaCl. The higher salt tolerance of H. maritimum as compared to H. vulgare was due to its higher capacity to maintain cell turgor under severe salinity. Furthermore, H. maritimum exhibited fine regulation of Na(+) transport from roots to shoots and, unlike H. vulgare, it accumulated less Na(+) in shoots than in roots. In addition, H. maritimum can accumulate more Na(+) than K(+) in both roots and shoots without the appearance of toxicity symptoms, indicating that Na(+) was well compartmentalized within cells and substituted K(+) in osmotic adjustment. The higher degree of salt tolerance of H. maritimum is further demonstrated by its economic strategy: at moderate salt treatment (100 mm NaCl), it used inorganic solutes (such as Na(+)) for osmotic adjustment and kept organic solutes and a large part of the K(+) for metabolic activities. Indeed, K(+) use efficiency in H. maritimum was about twofold that in H. vulgare; the former started to use organic solutes as osmotica only at high salinity (200 and 300 mm NaCl). These results suggest that the differences in salt tolerance between H. maritimum and H. vulgare are partly due to (i) differences in control of Na(+) transport from roots to shoots, and (ii) H. maritimum uses Na(+) as an osmoticum instead of K(+) and organic solutes. These factors are differently reflected in growth.

Role of Ca2+ on growth of Brassica campestris L. and B. juncea (L.) Czern & Coss under Na+ stress

Root and shoot growth of Brassica campestris L. and B. juncea increased significantly (P < 0.01) with enhanced Ca(2+) treatment along with 60 mM NaCl in the root medium. The maximum fresh mass of shoot and root in B. juncea was recorded at 10 mM Ca(2+) concentration. The relative growth rate of shoot of both species reached its maximum at 8 mM of Ca(2+) concentration. Average rate of Ca(2+) intake (I(Ca)) was higher in B. juncea than B. campestris. In B. juncea, the average transport of Ca(2+) to shoot increased by 19%, 38%, 119%, 125% and 169% compared with the control. Furthermore specific utilization rate of Ca(2+) was higher in B. juncea than B. campestris. In B. campestris it increased by 9%, 32%, 41% and 59% at 4, 6, 8, and 10 mM of calcium in comparison to 2 mM Ca(2+) treatment. At 4, 6, 8 and 10 mM of Ca(2+) application, the increase in the leaf area ratio was 10, 17, 23 and 30%, respectively. In the shoot and root portions of B. campestris and B. juncea, Ca(2+) had a linear relationship with potassium and sulfur, whereas it was in antagonism with sodium ion.

Isolation of a novel catalase (Cat1) gene from Panax ginseng and analysis of the response of this gene to various stresses

A cDNA clone containing a catalase (CAT1) gene, designated PgCat1, was isolated from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Korean ginseng). PgCat1 is predicted to encode a precursor protein of 492 amino acid residues, and its sequence shares high degrees of homology with a number of other CAT1s. Genomic DNA hybridization analysis indicated that PgCat1 represents a multi-gene family. Reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR results showed that PgCat1 expressed at different levels in leaves, stem, roots of P. ginseng seedlings. Different stresses, heavy metals, plant hormones, osmotic agents, high light irradiance, abiotic stresses, triggered a significant induction of PgCat1. The positive responses of PgCat1 to the various stimuli suggested that P. ginseng PgCat1 may help to protect the plant against reactive oxidant related environmental stresses.

The sugar beet gene encoding the sodium/proton exchanger 1 (BvNHX1) is regulated by a MYB transcription factor

Sodium/proton exchangers (NHX) are key players in the plant response to salinity and have a central role in establishing ion homeostasis. NHXs can be localized in the tonoplast or plasma membranes, where they exchange sodium ions for protons, resulting in sodium ions being removed from the cytosol into the vacuole or extracellular space. The expression of most plant NHX genes is modulated by exposure of the organisms to salt stress or water stress. We explored the regulation of the vacuolar NHX1 gene from the salt-tolerant sugar beet plant (BvNHX1) using Arabidopsis plants transformed with an array of constructs of BvHNX1::GUS, and the expression patterns were characterized using histological and quantitative assays. The 5 UTR of BvNHX1, including its intron, does not modulate the activity of the promoter. Serial deletions show that a 337 bp promoter fragment sufficed for driving activity that indistinguishable from that of the full-length (2,464 bp) promoter. Mutating four putative cis-acting elements within the 337 bp promoter fragment revealed that MYB transcription factor(s) are involved in the activation of the expression of BvNHX1 upon exposure to salt and water stresses. Gel mobility shift assay confirmed that the WT but not the mutated MYB binding site is bound by nuclear protein extracted from salt-stressed Beta vulgaris leaves.

Protein profile analysis of salt-responsive proteins in leaves and roots in two cultivars of creeping bentgrass differing in salinity tolerance

Knowledge of stress-responsive proteins is critical for further understanding the molecular mechanisms of stress tolerance. The objectives of this study were to establish a proteomic map for a perennial grass species, creeping bentgrass (A. stolonifera L.), and to identify differentially expressed, salt-responsive proteins in two cultivars differing in salinity tolerance. Plants of two cultivars ('Penncross' and 'Penn-A4') were irrigated daily with water (control) or NaCl solution to induce salinity stress in a growth chamber. Salinity stress was obtained by adding NaCl solution of 2, 4, 6, and 8 dS m(-1) in the soil daily for 2-day intervals at each concentration, and then by watering soil with 10 dS m(-1) solution daily for 28 days. For proteomic map, using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), approximately 420 and 300 protein spots were detected in leaves and roots, respectively. A total of 148 leaf protein spots and 40 root protein spots were excised from the 2-DE gels and subjected to mass spectrometry analysis. In total, 106 leaf protein spots and 24 root protein spots were successfully identified. Leaves had more salt-responsive proteins than roots in both cultivars. The superior salt tolerance in 'Penn-A4', indicated by shoot extension rate, relative water content, and cell membrane stability during the 28-day salinity stress could be mainly associated with its higher level of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase in roots and UDP-sulfoquinovose synthase, methionine synthase, and glucan exohydrolase in leaves, as well as increased accumulation of catalase and glutathione S-transferase in leaves. Our results suggest that salinity tolerance in creeping bentgrass could be in part controlled by an alteration of ion transport through vacuolar H(+)-ATPase in roots, maintenance of the functionality and integrity of thylakoid membranes, sustained polyamine biosynthesis, and by the activation of cell wall loosening proteins and antioxidant defense mechanisms.

NaCl effect on the distribution of wall ingrowth polymers and arabinogalactan proteins in type A transfer cells of Medicago sativa Gabès leaves

We studied the distribution of wall ingrowth (WI) polymers by probing thin sections of companion cells specialized as transfer cells in minor veins of Medicago sativa cv Gabès blade with affinity probes and antibodies specific to polysaccharides and glycoproteins. The wall polymers in the controls were similar in WIs and in the primary wall but differently distributed. The extent of labeling in these papillate WIs differed for JIM5 and JIM7 homogalacturonans but was in the same range for LM5 and LM6 rhamnogalacturonans and xyloglucans. These data show that WI enhancement probably requires arabinogalactan proteins (JIM8) mainly localized on the outer part of the primary wall and WIs. By comparison, NaCl-treated plants exhibited cell wall polysaccharide modifications indicating (1) an increase in unesterified homogalacturonans (JIM5), probably implicated in Na(+) binding and/or polysaccharide network interaction for limiting turgor variations in mesophyll cells; (2) enhancement of the xyloglucan network with an accumulation of fucosylated xyloglucans (CCRC-M1) known to increase the capacity of cellulose binding; and (3) specific recognition of JIM8 arabinogalactan proteins that could participate in both wall enlargement and cohesion by increasing the number of molecular interactions with the other polymers. In conclusion, the cell wall polysaccharide distribution in enlarged WIs might (1) participate in wall resistance to sequestration of Na(+), allowing a better control of hydric homeostasis in mesophyll cells to maintain metabolic activity in source leaves, and (2) maintain tolerance of M. sativa to NaCl.

Factors affecting β-ODAP content in Lathyrus sativus and their possible physiological mechanisms

A neuroexcitatory non-protein amino acid, β-N-oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP), present in the seeds of the hardy legume crop grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.), was considered responsible for human lathyrism. The levels of β-ODAP were reported to vary in different tissues during plant development, and to be affected by a wide range of environmental stresses. In this paper, dynamic changes in β-ODAP level at specific stages of plant development as well as the influences of various environmental factors, including nutrient deficiency, drought, salinity, toxic heavy metals, and Rhizobium symbiosis on β-ODAP levels were analyzed, highlighting the relationship between changes in β-ODAP concentrations and Rhizobium growth. Possible mechanisms underlying β-ODAP accumulation are proposed and future research is suggested.

β-ODAP accumulation could be related to low levels of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide in Lathyrus sativus L

Level of the neuroexcitatory β-N-oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP) in grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) varies with development and environmental stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) (mainly O(2)ⁱ- and H(2)O(2)) are frequently reported to play important roles in plant development and in response to various stresses. To investigate the possible inter-relationship between contents of β-ODAP and ROS, grass pea leaves have been analyzed for contents of β-ODAP, O(2)ⁱ- and H(2)O(2). The results showed that leaves containing high levels of β-ODAP, exhibited low levels of O(2)ⁱ- and H(2)O(2), while leaves with high contents of O(2)ⁱ- and H(2)O(2) accumulated little β-ODAP. The application of pyridine or ABA which inhibit the production of O(2)ⁱ- or H(2)O(2) led to an increase in β-ODAP contents in intact or detached young leaves, whereas inhibition of catalase activity using AT (3-amino-1,2,4-triazole), leading to an increase in H(2)O(2) content, result in significant decrease in β-ODAP levels of detached young leaves. In addition, inoculation of Rhizobium to young seedlings enhanced O(2)ⁱ- and H(2)O(2) levels, but reduced β-ODAP contents in shoots. These results suggest that β-ODAP accumulation could be related to low levels of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide in grass pea tissues.

Osmotic effects of NaCl on cell hydraulic conductivity of corn roots

In this study, whether the effect of salt (NaCl) stress on cell hydraulic conductivity (L(p)) is via osmotic pressure or ion toxicity and whether abscisic acid (ABA) can release the salt adverse effect were tested. Immediate effects of NaCl and ABA on root cortical cell L(p) of maize (Zea mays L.) were detected by measuring changes in half time of water exchange (T(1/2)) and turgor of individual single cells with a cell pressure probe for at least 1 h. The results showed that stepwise additions of NaCl (50 mM) significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the water permeability. One-step addition of 50 mM NaCl even more drastically decreased L(p). ABA was not able to instantaneously reverse the low water permeability induced by the salt stress. Long-term effects of NaCl, mannitol and sorbitol, and ABA on L(p) were measured for 6 days. Both NaCl and a mixture of mannitol and sorbitol, with the same osmotic strength of 0.25 MPa, significantly reduced L(p) at the early stage of the treatments. The declined L(p) in the salinized cell gradually and partially recovered after 2 days, whereas the L(p) with the mannitol and sorbitol mixture treatment was all time inhibited. With long-time treatment, ABA (500 nM) significantly (P < 0.01) increased turgor and L(p) of the NaCl-treated cells. In general, NaCl reduced water permeability of corn root cortical cells most likely by an osmotic stress. ABA could not instantaneously change water permeability of the corn root cortical cell subjected to NaCl stress; however, with long-time treatment, ABA was able to in part relieve the salt stress likely by osmotic adjustment.

Role of aquaporins in root water transport of ectomycorrhizal jack pine (Pinus banksiana) seedlings exposed to NaCl and fluoride

Effects of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungus Suillus tomentosus on water transport properties were studied in jack pine (Pinus banksiana) seedlings. The hydraulic conductivity of root cortical cells (L(pc)) and of the whole root system (L(pr)) in ECM plants was higher by twofold to fourfold compared with the non-ECM seedlings. HgCl2 had a greater inhibitory effect on L(pc) in ECM compared with non-ECM seedlings, suggesting that the mercury-sensitive, aquaporin (AQP)-mediated water transport was largely responsible for the differences in L(pc) between the two groups of plants. L(pc) was rapidly and drastically reduced by the 50 mM NaCl treatment. However, in ECM plants, the initial decline in L(pc) was followed by a quick recovery to the pre-treatment level, while the reduction of L(pc) in non-ECM seedlings progressed over time. Treatments with fluoride reduced L(pc) by about twofold in non-ECM seedlings and caused smaller reductions of L(pc) in ECM plants. When either 2 mM KF or 2 mM NaF were added to the 50 mM NaCl treatment solution, the inhibitory effect of NaCl on L(pc) was rapidly reversed in both groups of plants. The results suggest that AQP-mediated water transport may be linked to the enhancement of salt stress resistance reported for ECM plants.

Interactions between Pseudomonas putida UW4 and Gigaspora rosea BEG9 and their consequences for the growth of cucumber under salt-stress conditions

AIMS

After the determination of the toxic but nonlethal concentration of NaCl for cucumber, we examined the interaction between an ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) deaminase producing bacterial strain and an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) and their effects on cucumber growth under salinity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In the first experiment, cucumber seedlings were exposed to 0.1, 50, 100 or 200 mmol l(-1) NaCl, and plant biomass and leaf area were measured. While seeds exposed to 200 mmol l(-1) NaCl did not germinate, plant growth and leaf size were reduced by 50 or 100 mmol l(-1) salt. The latter salt cancentration caused plant death in 1 month. In the second experiment, seeds were inoculated with the ACC deaminase-producing strain Pseudomonas putida UW4 (AcdS(+)), its mutant unable to produce the enzyme (AcdS(-)), or the AMF Gigaspora rosea BEG9, individually or in combination and exposed to 75 mmol l(-1) salt. Plant morphometric and root architectural parameters, mycorrhizal and bacterial colonization and the influence of each micro-organism on the photosynthetic efficiency were evaluated. The AcdS(+) strain or the AMF, inoculated alone, increased plant growth, affected root architecture and improved photosynthetic activity. Mycorrhizal colonization was inhibited by each bacterial strain.

CONCLUSIONS

Salinity negatively affects cucumber growth and health, but root colonization by ACC deaminase-producing bacteria or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can improve plant tolerance to such stressful condition.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and bacterial ACC deaminase may ameliorate plant growth under stressful conditions. It was previously shown that, under optimal growth conditions, Ps. putida UW4 AcdS(+) increases root colonization by Gi. rosea resulting in synergistic effects on cucumber growth. These results suggest that while in optimal conditions ACC deaminase is mainly involved in the bacteria/fungus interactions, while under stressful conditions this enzyme plays a role in plant/bacterium interactions. This finding is relevant from an ecological and an applicative point of view.

Simple yet stringent screening methodologies for evaluation of putative transformants for abiotic stress tolerance: salt and cadmium stress as a paradigm

Rigorous and stringent screening methodologies to select transformants at both seedling and plant level under cadmium or NaCl stress were developed. At seedling level, two screening strategies were standardized. One involved germination on filter paper/agar in the presence of either CdCl2 (125 μM) or NaCl (350-450 mM) for 9 days and selection of tolerant putative transformants. The other involved germination of the seedlings on soilrite by irrigation of 450 mM NaCl. Further, at plant level, in vitro evaluation for stress tolerance involved a simple leaf senescence bioassay. Combination of the seedling and plant level screening strategies would result in the initial identification of promising transformants for further analysis.

Accumulation of oxytetracycline and norfloxacin from saline soil by soybeans

Soil of former shrimp aquaculture facilities in Thailand may be contaminated by antibiotics (e.g. oxytetracycline and norfloxacin) and have elevated salinity. Therefore, reuse of this land can be problematic. The utility of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) for phytoremediation was investigated. The rate of germination and seedling emergence in prepared contaminated soil (conductivity 17.7 dS m(-1) from adding 70 mg sodium chloride g(-1) dry weight, 105 mg kg(-1) dry weight oxytetracycline and 55 mg kg(-1) dry weight norfloxacin) in sunlight was approximately 80% that of uncontaminated soil. This reduction was largely due to the high salinity. The antibiotics of interest degraded relatively rapidly in soil (half-life <10h for both) but loss was slower in deionised water. Accumulation of the antibiotics from deionised water by soybean resulted in little effect on growth rate and maximum levels in plants were observed after two days exposure, followed by declining concentrations. For soybean plants grown in saline soil, 90% removal of NaCl from soil adjacent to plant roots was observed, most within two days. Wilting and defoliation occurred, but plants recovered after 10 days and maximum salt levels in plants exceeded 20,000 mg g(-1) dry weight with translocation from root to shoot tissue noted. Soybean plants also accumulated the antibiotics from prepared contaminated saline soil, but translocation from the roots was not observed. The results showed that soybean can be valuable for phytoremediation in these situations.

Cytosolic calcium and pH signaling in plants under salinity stress

Calcium is one of the essential nutrients for growth and development of plants. It is an important component of various structures in cell wall and membranes. Besides some fundamental roles under normal condition, calcium functions as a major secondary-messenger molecule in plants under different developmental cues and various stress conditions including salinity stress. Also changes in cytosolic pH, pH(cyt), either individually, or in coordination with changes in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration, [Ca(2+)](cyt), evoke a wide range of cellular functions in plants including signal transduction in plant-defense responses against stresses. It is believed that salinity stress, like other stresses, is perceived at cell membrane, either extra cellular or intracellular, which then triggers an intracellular-signaling cascade including the generation of secondary messenger molecules like Ca(2+) and protons. The variety and complexity of Ca(2+) and pH signaling result from the nature of the stresses as well as the tolerance level of the plant species against that specific stress. The nature of changes in [Ca(2+)](cyt) concentration, in terms of amplitude, frequency and duration, is likely very important for decoding the specific downstream responses for salinity stress tolerance in planta. It has been observed that the signatures of [Ca(2+)](cyt) and pH differ in various studies reported so far depending on the techniques used to measure them, and also depending on the plant organs where they are measured, such as root, shoot tissues or cells. This review describes the recent advances about the changes in [Ca(2+)](cyt) and pH(cyt) at both cellular and whole-plant levels under salinity stress condition, and in various salinity-tolerant and -sensitive plant species.

TaSnRK2.4, an SNF1-type serine/threonine protein kinase of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), confers enhanced multistress tolerance in Arabidopsis

Osmotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and cold are major environmental factors that limit agricultural productivity worldwide. Protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation are major signalling events induced by osmotic stress in higher plants. Sucrose non-fermenting 1-related protein kinase2 family members play essential roles in response to hyperosmotic stresses in Arabidopsis, rice, and maize. In this study, the function of TaSnRK2.4 in drought, salt, and freezing stresses in Arabidopsis was characterized. A translational fusion protein of TaSnRK2.4 with green fluorescent protein showed subcellular localization in the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus. To examine the role of TaSnRK2.4 under various environmental stresses, transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing wheat TaSnRK2.4 under control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter were generated. Overexpression of TaSnRK2.4 resulted in delayed seedling establishment, longer primary roots, and higher yield under normal growing conditions. Transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing TaSnRK2.4 had enhanced tolerance to drought, salt, and freezing stresses, which were simultaneously supported by physiological results, including decreased rate of water loss, enhanced higher relative water content, strengthened cell membrane stability, improved photosynthesis potential, and significantly increased osmotic potential. The results show that TaSnRK2.4 is involved in the regulation of enhanced osmotic potential, growth, and development under both normal and stress conditions, and imply that TaSnRK2.4 is a multifunctional regulatory factor in Arabidopsis. Since the overexpression of TaSnRK2.4 can significantly strengthen tolerance to drought, salt, and freezing stresses and does not retard the growth of transgenic Arabidopsis plants under well-watered conditions, TaSnRK2.4 could be utilized in transgenic breeding to improve abiotic stresses in crops.

Exogenously applied ascorbic acid ameliorates detrimental effects of NaCl and mannitol stress in Vicia faba seedlings

The adverse effects of either NaCl or mannitol on growth, nitrogen content, and antioxidant system in Vicia faba seedlings were investigated. The role of exogenous ascorbic acid in increasing resistance to these stressors was also evaluated. Thus, with an increase in concentration of either NaCl or mannitol in culture media, a progressively greater significant decrease in percentage germination, in growth parameters, and in nitrogen constituents of the germinating beans, was observed. On the other hand, amide-, nitrate-, and total soluble-N contents appeared to show a progressive significant increase. Exogenous addition of ascorbic acid (4 mM) to the stressful media induced a pronounced significantly increased percentage germination and the growth attributes, whereas nitrogen constituents were variably changed in relation to values maintained in beans treated with either NaCl or mannitol. Furthermore, exogenous addition of ascorbic acid to NaCl or mannitol media induced a significant increase in the contents of ascorbate and glutathione and enzymatic antioxidant activities, in particular, in beans treated with the three highest concentrations of NaCl or mannitol, throughout the period of the experiments (12 days). Thus, ascorbic acid ameliorates the adverse effects of the stressful media; the magnitude of amelioration being a function of the type and the concentration of the stressful agent as well as of the duration of treatment. The importance of the above-mentioned changes in growth and metabolism to stress tolerance in broad bean is discussed.

The AtNHX1 exchanger mediates potassium compartmentation in vacuoles of transgenic tomato

NHX-type antiporters in the tonoplast have been reported to increase the salt tolerance of various plants species, and are thought to mediate the compartmentation of Na(+) in vacuoles. However, all isoforms characterized so far catalyze both Na(+)/H(+) and K(+)/H(+) exchange. Here, we show that AtNHX1 has a critical involvement in the subcellular partitioning of K(+), which in turn affects plant K(+) nutrition and Na(+) tolerance. Transgenic tomato plants overexpressing AtNHX1 had larger K(+) vacuolar pools in all growth conditions tested, but no consistent enhancement of Na(+) accumulation was observed under salt stress. Plants overexpressing AtNHX1 have a greater capacity to retain intracellular K(+) and to withstand salt-shock. Under K(+)-limiting conditions, greater K(+) compartmentation in the vacuole occurred at the expense of the cytosolic K(+) pool, which was lower in transgenic plants. This caused the early activation of the high-affinity K(+) uptake system, enhanced K(+) uptake by roots, and increased the K(+) content in plant tissues and the xylem sap of transformed plants. Our results strongly suggest that NHX proteins are likely candidates for the H(+)-linked K(+) transport that is thought to facilitate active K(+) uptake at the tonoplast, and the partitioning of K(+) between vacuole and cytosol.

Application of salicylic acid increases contents of nutrients and antioxidative metabolism in mungbean and alleviates adverse effects of salinity stress

Salicylic acid (SA), a naturally occurring plant hormone, is an important signal molecule known to have diverse effects on biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Its growth-promoting effect on various plants has been shown, but the information on the response of mungbean, an important leguminous plant, to SA application under salt stress is limited. Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) cultivar Pusa Vishal plants grown with 50 mM NaCl were sprayed with 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mM SA and basic physiological processes were studied to substantiate our understanding of their role in tolerance to salinity-induced oxidative stress and how much such processes are induced by SA application. Treatment of plants with 0.5 mM SA resulted in a maximum decrease in the content of Na+, Cl-, H2O2, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and electrolyte leakage under saline conditions compared to the control. In contrast, this treatment increased N, P, K, and Ca content, activity of antioxidant enzymes, glutathione content, photosynthesis, and yield maximally under nonsaline and saline conditions. The application of higher concentration of SA (1.0 mM) either proved inhibitory or was of no additional benefit. It was concluded that 0.5 mM SA alleviates salinity-inhibited photosynthesis and yield through a decrease in Na+, Cl-, H2O2, and TBARS content, and electrolyte leakage, and an increase in N, P, K, and Ca content, activity of antioxidant enzymes, and glutathione content.

Salt stimulation of growth and photosynthesis in an extreme halophyte, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum

Halophytes that are capable of tolerating a wide range of salinity may grow best at intermediate salinities, but the physiological mechanisms underlying positive growth responses to salinity are not clear. This work investigated the growth of Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moric) C. Koch (a halophytic C3 shrub) over a wide range of salinities, and the extent to which its responses can be explained by photosynthetic physiology. Growth, gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of plants were examined in a glasshouse experiment; tissue concentrations of photosynthetic pigments, ash, sodium, potassium, calcium and nitrogen were also determined. Plants showed marked stimulation of growth by salt, with a broad optimum of 171-510 mm NaCl for relative growth rate (RGR). Stimulation of RGR appeared to depend mainly on an increase in specific shoot area, whereas reduced RGR at high salinity (1030 mm) could be attributed to a combination of lower unit shoot (leaf) rate and lower shoot mass fraction. The non-saline treatment plants had the greatest fraction of non-photosynthetic, atrophied surface area. However, net photosynthesis (A) was also stimulated by NaCl, with an optimum of c. 510 mm NaCl. The responses of A to salinity could be accounted for largely by limitation by stomatal conductance (Gs) and intercellular CO(2) concentration (Ci). Even the most hypersaline treatment apparently had no effect on photosystem II (PSII) function, and this resistance could be an important strategy for this halophyte in saline soils. In contrast, Fv/Fm indicated that absence of salt represents an environmental stress for A. macrostachyum and this could be a contributory factor to salt stimulation of A. Notwithstanding the importance of the ability to develop and maintain assimilatory surface area under saline conditions, stimulatory effects on A also appear to be part of a suite of halophytic adaptations in this plant.

Phylogenetic analysis and functional characterisation of strictosidine synthase-like genes in Arabidopsis thaliana

Monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIA) are a diverse class of secondary metabolites important for plant protection and are drugs for treating human diseases. Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) is not known to produce MIAs, yet its genome has 15 genes with similarity to the periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don) strictosidine synthase (STR) gene. Phylogenetic analysis of strictosidine synthase-like (SSL) proteins reveals four well supported classes of SSLs in Arabidopsis. To determine if Arabidopsis produces active strictosidine synthase, Arabidopsis protein extracts were assayed for enzymatic activity and cDNAs were expressed in Escherichia coli. Arabidopsis protein extracts from leaves and hairy roots do not make strictosidine at levels comparable to C. roseus, but they metabolise one substrate, secologanin, a precursor of strictosidine in other plant species, and produce an 'unknown' compound proposed to be a dimer of secologanic acid. Recombinant Arabidopsis proteins expressed in E. coli were not active STRs. Quantitative PCR analysis was performed on class A Ssls and showed they are upregulated by salt, ultraviolet light and salicylic acid treatment. RNAi mutants of Arabidopsis with reduced expression of all four class A Ssls, suggest that class A SSL proteins can modify secologanin. Gene expression and metabolomics data suggests that class A Ssl genes may have a role in plant protection.

Evidence for a role of exogenous glycinebetaine and proline in antioxidant defense and methylglyoxal detoxification systems in mung bean seedlings under salt stress

In mung bean seedlings, salt stress (300 mM NaCl) caused a significant increase in reduced glutathione (GSH) content within 24 h of treatment as compared to control whereas a slight increase was observed after 48 h of treatment. Highest oxidized glutathione (GSSG) content was observed after 48 h to treatment with a concomitant decrease in glutathione redox state. Glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and glyoxalase II enzyme activities were significantly elevated up to 48 h, whereas glutathione reductase and glyoxalase I activities were increased only up to 24 h and then gradually decreased. Application of 15 mM proline or 15 mM glycinebetaine resulted in an increase in GSH content, maintenance of a high glutathione redox state and higher activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glyoxalase I and glyoxalase II enzymes involved in the ROS and methylglyoxal (MG) detoxification system for up to 48 h, compared to those of the control and mostly also salt stressed plants, with a simultaneous decrease in GSSG content, H2O2 and lipid peroxidation level. The present study suggests that both proline and glycinebetaine provide a protective action against saltinduced oxidative damage by reducing H2O2 and lipid peroxidation level and by enhancing antioxidant defense and MG detoxification systems.

Approaches to identifying genes for salinity tolerance and the importance of timescale

Soil salinity reduces the ability of plants to take up water, and this quickly causes reductions in the rate of cell expansion in growing tissues. The slower formation of photosynthetic leaf area in turn reduces the flow of assimilates to the meristematic and growing tissues of the plant. Later, salt may exert an additional effect on growth. If excessive amounts of Na(+) or Cl(-) enter the plant it may rise to toxic levels in the older transpiring leaves. This injury, added to an already reduced leaf area, will then further limit the flow of carbon compounds to meristems and growing zones in leaves. This chapter analyses the various plant responses over time, to provide a conceptual framework on which the different approaches to gene discovery can be based. Knowledge of the physiological processes that are important in the tolerance response, and the time frame in which they act, will enable further progress in understanding of the molecular regulation of salt tolerance.