盐分胁迫对景天三七幼苗生理生化特性的影响

采用不同盐分土壤(0.2%、0.4%、0.6%、0.8%、1.0%、1.2%)对景天三七幼苗进行胁迫处理,通过其生长情况、Na⁺和K⁺含量及生理生化特征,探讨景天三七耐盐性能及机理。结果表明,盐胁迫下,景天三七幼苗生理生化特性均有明显差异。≤0.4%盐分对景天三七幼苗生长具有促进作用,盐分浓度达到1.0%植株生长受到抑制。随着盐分浓度的增大,植物体内Na⁺含量有升高的趋势,Na⁺/K⁺比值逐渐增加;而SOD、CAT及POD活性总体呈先上升后下降趋势。同时,植物体内可溶性糖含量随着盐分浓度的增大显著升高,当盐分浓度为0.8%时达最大值;可溶性蛋白含量呈先升高后下降的趋势,且差异显著。叶绿素含量随盐浓度增大而减少,0.4%、0.6%和0.8%盐浓度下的叶片叶绿素含量比0.2%盐浓度下分别降低了11.5%、50.0%和79.9%。可见,≤0.4%盐分浓度可提高景天三七抗氧化酶活性,增强植物抗性,促进植物生长。     

盐渍土壤生境中大果沙枣成年树离子吸收、运输和分配特征研究

为揭示盐渍土壤中大果沙枣(Elaeagnus angustifolia Linn.)树体矿质离子分布规律,保障大果沙枣高效种植和丰产栽培,以不同盐度土壤中生长的成年大果沙枣树为材料,测定并分析了其根、枝、叶中Na⁺、K⁺、Mg²⁺和Ca²⁺的吸收、运输和分配特征。结果表明：盐土土壤环境中,大果沙枣叶片对Ca²⁺和Mg²⁺具有较强的选择吸收能力,低盐（I~II级）土壤环境中,叶内Na⁺含量明显上升,而至高盐（III~IV级）中,根部对Na⁺的吸收量明显高于枝和叶。随着林地土壤盐度的升高,K⁺、Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺在枝部和叶部的积累量明显增大,矿质离子由根部向枝、叶部运输的能力在I~III级盐度土壤环境中逐渐增大,并在IV级盐度土壤环境中受抑。同时,根和枝中K⁺/Na⁺和Mg²⁺/Na⁺值均是先增大后减小,叶中K⁺/Na⁺、Mg²⁺/Na⁺变幅较小,根和叶中Ca²⁺/Na⁺变幅较大。大果沙枣成年树的盐适应机制主要是通过根对Na⁺的聚积作用,叶对K⁺、Mg²⁺和Ca²⁺的选择性吸收能力增强来实现的,同时也与枝中相对稳定的K⁺、Na⁺、Mg²⁺和Ca²⁺的选择性运输能力有关。     

燕麦对碱胁迫的阳离子响应机制

以耐碱性燕麦品种Vao-9和碱敏感性品种白燕5号为试验材料,采用盆栽法,用25、50、75、100 mmol L^-1碱浓度(Na₂CO₃和NaHCO₃按摩尔比1∶1混合)进行短期(14 d)和长期(28 d)胁迫处理,观测两品种根、茎、叶中Na⁺、K⁺、Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺吸收及分配特点,并从离子平衡吸收与分配角度,探讨燕麦对碱胁迫的生理适应机制。胁迫处理14 d后,燕麦体内Na⁺增加,K⁺下降,Ca²⁺和Mg²⁺变化不大,且两品种间各器官中4种离子的分配比例差异不显著。胁迫处理28 d后,两品种各器官中Na⁺增幅较大,K⁺、Ca²⁺和Mg²⁺降幅较大。Vao-9植株体内Na⁺、Ca²⁺含量大于白燕5号,但K⁺、Mg²⁺含量与白燕5号无显著差异,但两品种间各器官中4种离子的分配特点不同;当胁迫浓度达到100 mmol L^-1时,与白燕5号相比,Vao-9叶片中少分配5.9个百分点Na⁺,多分配13.5个百分点K⁺、28.9Ca²⁺、10.9Mg²⁺,茎中多分配5.4个百分点Na⁺,少分配9.8个百分点K⁺,根中少分配28.9个百分点Ca²⁺、10.9Mg²⁺,因而Vao-9叶片中Na⁺ /K⁺、Na⁺ /Ca²⁺、Na⁺ /Mg²⁺值较白燕5号低。可见,燕麦通过提高阳离子选择吸收及器官分配能力以适应碱胁迫。     

褪黑素通过H2O2调控盐胁迫下小豆Na+/K+平衡机制

为探究褪黑素对盐胁迫下小豆幼苗生长发育的影响，以保红876为材料，设置4个处理：CK(清水)、S(60 mmol/L NaCl)、MT(50μmol/L褪黑素)和S-MT(60 mmol/L NaCl和50μmol/L褪黑素),并分析了小豆幼苗生长指标、光合指标、矿质元素离子含量和抗氧化酶活性的变化。结果表明，在盐胁迫条件下，较CK处理，小豆幼苗的生长受到明显抑制，叶绿素含量、净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(Gs)和胞间CO₂浓度(Ci)显著降低；叶、茎中Na⁺含量显著上升，叶片中Ca²⁺含量显著上升而Mg²⁺含量则显著下降，豆苗Na⁺/K⁺比值显著增加；MDA和H₂O₂含量显著上升，破坏了膜脂选择透性。盐胁迫下施加褪黑素后，较S处理，显著提高了豆苗株高、叶面积和生物量，总根长显著增加；同时提高了叶绿素含量、叶片Pn、Tr和Ci;叶、茎中Na⁺和K⁺含量...     

硅素穗肥优化滨海盐碱地水稻矿质元素吸收分配提高耐盐性

本研究旨在阐明硅素穗肥调控盐碱地水稻抽穗期矿质元素分配的作用机制。以常规粳稻淮稻5号为材料,于2019年和2020年在江苏沿海大丰盐碱地(盐分3.4 g kg^–1,p H 8.3)开展大田试验,设置3个硅肥用量(0、60和100 kg hm^–2),于幼穗分化期随穗肥施入。结果表明:(1)硅素穗肥促进抽穗期植株养分吸收,提高成熟期干物质量和产量,与Si0相比,Si60平均增产4.3%,Si100平均增产8.6%;(2)硅素穗肥优化了水稻不同部位K⁺、Na⁺分配,提高水稻叶片、上部叶鞘、中下部茎秆K⁺含量,降低穗、上部叶片、叶鞘、茎秆Na⁺含量,提高各部位的K⁺/Na⁺,进而提高离子稳态;(3)硅素穗肥促进叶片大量元素N、P、Ca、Mg和微量元素Fe、Mn的积累,与Si0相比,硅素穗肥显著提高了16.5%的P含量、18.5%的Mg含量、22.4%的Ca含量、19.8%的Fe含量,缓解盐碱胁迫对水稻叶片的不利影响。综上...     

不同生长状况下槟榔叶片Na+与Cl-含量调查及分析

探讨不同产量水平、正常结果与黄化病槟榔叶片Na⁺与Cl^-含量变化及不同生长年限槟榔叶片Na⁺与Cl^-含量变化规律。以海南不同产量水平中不同生长年限正常结果与黄化槟榔叶片为试验材料,分析不同产量水平、正常结果与黄化槟榔叶片Na⁺、Cl^-含量,以及不同生长年限槟榔叶片Na⁺、Cl^-含量变化情况。结果表明：槟榔叶片含有较高Na离子。Na⁺平均含量约1.9%。槟榔叶片Na⁺随着产量水平无直线变化趋势。正常结果与黄化槟榔叶片Na⁺含量差异也不明显。Cl^-含量在槟榔叶片较低。槟榔叶片Cl^-含量随着槟榔产量下降有所下降,中产组和低产组的比高产组的分别下降了约30%和45%。黄化槟榔叶片Cl^-含量比高产和低产组的低约60%和28%。槟榔叶片Na⁺含量随着生长年限呈下降趋势,而槟榔叶片Cl^-含量随着生长年限无明显直线变化规律。结论：不同产量槟榔间Na⁺含量差异不明显。高产量的槟榔叶片Cl^-含量比较高,黄化槟榔叶片Cl^-含量明显低于正常槟榔的。Na⁺随着槟榔生长年限增加有所下降但Cl^-无明显直线变化趋势。     

盐胁迫对花生幼苗离子动态及耐盐基因表达的影响

不同花生品种的耐盐能力各有差异,本研究以耐盐花生品种花育25 (Huayu 25,HY25)和盐敏感品种花育20(Huayu 20,HY20)为材料,利用非损伤微测技术,测定盐胁迫下花生幼苗根尖中Na⁺、K⁺、Ca²⁺、NH₄⁺、NO₃^–、Cl^–的流速;并同期检测了幼苗的生长性状、主要耐盐基因的表达及渗透调节物质(可溶性糖、脯氨酸)含量的变化,以明确花生的耐盐能力与离子吸收、转运及抗逆调控的关系。结果表明:(1)盐胁迫下Na⁺内流减弱,外排速率增加,K⁺内流提高,但是相对而言,HY25的Na⁺外排速率及K⁺内流速率均高于HY20,表明HY25通过排Na⁺保K⁺提高耐盐性;(2)盐胁迫促进Ca²⁺迅速内流,并且耐盐品种比盐敏感品种Ca²⁺内流...     

基于主成分分析法的干旱区典型绿洲土壤盐分特征分析——以新疆第二师31团为例

为研究新疆典型绿洲土地盐分特征及分布特征,以新疆第二师31团为例,采用GPS对研究区域进行定点采样(N=66),采样深度为100 cm,采样层数为5层,对土壤盐分离子进行化验检测,运用SPSS软件对数据进行描述性、离子间相关性及离子主成分分析。结果表明:不同土壤层中各离子处于中等以上变异程度,各土壤层的pH=8.11,各土壤层中Cl^-、K⁺+Na⁺与SO₄^2-离子含量大于HCO₃^-、Ca²⁺与Mg²⁺离子;Cl^-、K⁺+Na⁺、SO₄^2-、Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺之间的相关系数较高,呈现极显著相关性。各土壤层的第一主成分主要包含Cl^-、SO₄^2-、Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺、K⁺+Na⁺离子信息,第二主成分与第三主成分主要包含HCO₃^-离子信息。以第一主成分、第二主成分及第三主成分所表征不同信息为基准,分析了研究区不同位置不同土壤层的盐渍化程度及碱度,该研究区域受盐碱影响较大。     

水盐浸种对NaCl胁迫下向日葵幼苗渗透调节物质的影响

以向日葵为材料,分别以水、400mmol/L NaCl浸种,评估二者对NaCl胁迫条件下(150mmol/L NaCl)向日葵幼苗中渗透调节物质积累的影响。结果表明:与对照相比,NaCl胁迫导致向日葵叶片、茎部脯氨酸(Pro)含量分别增加了3.36倍、2.40倍;经水、盐浸种后,向日葵叶片中Pro含量分别增加了6.19倍、4.72倍,茎部Pro含量差异不显著。与对照相比,NaCl胁迫处理不同程度地减少了向日葵叶片、茎、根中K⁺含量,增加Na⁺的吸收,K⁺:Na⁺明显降低;在NaCl胁迫条件下,水浸种、盐浸种不同程度地影响了幼苗中K⁺、Na⁺的含量、分配,但是经LSD比较,三种处理中离子含量没有明显差异。由此可见,在150mmol/LNaCl胁迫条件下,水、盐浸种更有效地诱导向日葵中Pro的积累来参与渗透调节。     

渭-库河绿洲植棉土壤不同土层盐分相关性分析

为渭-库河绿洲植棉土壤盐渍化的治理、改良及合理利用提供一定的理论基础和科学依据,笔者通过筛选渭-库河绿洲植棉土壤上典型的野外考察路线、GPS定点、取样测定,并对植棉土壤不同土层总盐、盐离子含量以及盐离子间进行相关性分析。研究结果表明：植棉土壤不同土层盐分含量分别：0~ 10 cm 1.555%,10~30 cm 0.454%,30~50 cm 1.082%;pH：0~10 cm pH 8.09,10~30、30~50 cm pH 8.59左右;平均含盐量分别为15.549、4.548、10.821 g/kg。不同深度土层的盐分含量从大到少顺序依次为0~ 10 cm＞30~50 cm＞10~30 cm,属于盐化土壤。相关性分析结果表明：在研究区植棉土壤不同土层的全盐量、pH、HCO₃^-、Cl^-、Ga²⁺、SO₄^2-、K⁺+Na⁺、Mg²⁺之间的相关性基本上呈显著到极显著正相关,尤其是表层土壤中SO₄^2-与K⁺+Na⁺的相关系数达到了0.98,硫酸物在表层土壤积聚强烈,盐分以向上运行为主。     

Growth Properties and Ion Distribution in Different Tissues of Bread Wheat Genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) Differing in Salt Tolerance

Four bread wheat genotypes differing in salt tolerance were selected to evaluate ion distribution and growth responses with increasing salinity. Salinity was applied when the leaf 4 was fully expanded. Sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺) concentrations and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio in different tissues including root, leaf‐3 blade, flag leaf sheath and flag leaf blade at three salinity levels (0, 100 and 200 mm NaCl), and also the effects of salinity on growth rate, shoot biomass and grain yield were evaluated. Salt‐tolerant genotypes (Karchia‐65 and Roshan) showed higher growth rate, grain yield and shoot biomass than salt‐sensitive ones (Qods and Shiraz). Growth rate was reduced severely in the first period (1–10 days) after salt commencements. It seems after 20 days, the major effect of salinity on shoot biomass and grain yield was due to the osmotic effect of salt, not due to Na⁺‐specific effects within the plant. Grain yield loss in salt‐tolerant genotypes was due to the decline in grain size, but the grain yield loss in salt‐sensitive ones was due to decline in grain number. Salt‐tolerant genotypes sequestered higher amounts of Na⁺ concentration in root and flag leaf sheath and maintained lower Na⁺ concentration with higher K⁺/Na⁺ ratios in flag leaf blade. This ion partitioning may be contributing to the improved salt tolerance of genotypes.     

Unequal salt distribution in the root zone increases growth and yield of cotton

Soil salinity is often heterogeneous, yet plant response to unequal salt distribution (USD) in the root zone is seldom studied in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Our objective was to evaluate the effects of USD on growth and yield, as well as its potential application for increasing cotton production. To achieve this objective, greenhouse and field experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, potted cotton plants were grown in a split-root system in the greenhouse. Each root half was irrigated with either the same or two concentrations of NaCl. Plant biomass, leaf chlorophyll (Chl), photosynthesis (Pn) and transpiration (Tr), Na⁺ and K⁺ accumulation, as well as biological and economic yields were determined. In the second experiment, plants were grown in furrow-beds in saline fields with those grown on flat beds as controls. Root-zone salinity, yield and yield components and earliness (the percentage of the first two harvests to total harvests) were monitored. When the entire root system was exposed to the same concentration of NaCl, shoot dry weight, leaf area, plant biomass, leaf Chl, Pn and Tr were markedly reduced relative to the NaCl-free control at 2 weeks after salinity stress (WAS). Significant reductions in biological (23.6–73.8%) and economic yields (38.1–79.7%) were noticed at harvest. However, when only half of the root system was exposed to low-salinity, the inhibition effect of salinity on growth and yield was significantly reduced. Plant biomass and seed cotton yield were increased by 13 and 23.9% with 50/150 mM/mM NaCl, 40 and 44.5% with 100/300 mM/mM NaCl, and 85.7 and 127.8% with 100/500 mM/mM NaCl relative to their respective equal salt distribution (ESD) controls (100/100, 200/200, and 300/300). Unequal salt distribution also decreased concentrations of Na⁺ and increased leaf K⁺ and Chl content, K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, Pn and Tr, compared with ESD. Furrow-bed seeding induced unequal distribution of salts in the surface soil during the field experiment. Under furrow planting, soil salinity was much higher, but soil osmotic potential was much lower on the ridged part than the furrows. Yield and earliness were increased 20.8 and 5.1% by furrow seeding relative to flat seeding. These enhancements were mainly attributed to unequal distribution of salts in the root zone. Thus, specific cultural practices that induce unequal salt distribution such as furrow-bed seeding can be used to improve cotton production in saline fields.     

Evaluating Predictive Values of Various Physiological Indices for Salinity Stress Tolerance in Wheat

Soil salinity is a worldwide issue that affects agricultural production. The understanding of mechanisms by which plants tolerate salt stress is crucial for breeding varieties for salt tolerance. In this work, a large number of wheat (Triticum aestivum and Triticum turgidum) cultivars were screened using a broad range of physiological indices. A regression analysis was then used to evaluate the relative contribution of each of these traits towards the overall salinity tolerance. In general, most of the bread wheats showed better Na⁺ exclusion that was associated with higher relative yield. Leaf K⁺/Na⁺ ratio and leaf and xylem K⁺ contents were the major factors determining salinity stress tolerance in wheat. Other important traits included high xylem K⁺ content, high stomatal conductance and low osmolality. Bread wheat and durum wheat showed different tolerance mechanisms, with leaf K⁺/Na⁺ content in durum wheat making no significant contributions to salt tolerance, while the important traits were leaf and xylem K⁺ contents. These results indicate that Na⁺ sequestration ability is much stronger in durum compared with bread wheat, most likely as a compensation for its lesser efficiency to exclude Na⁺ from transport to the shoot. We also concluded that plant survival scores under high salt stress can be used in bread wheat as a preliminary selection for Na⁺ exclusion gene(s).     

Identification of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] lines tolerant to soil salinity

Crop tolerance to salinity is of high importance due to the extent and the constant increase in salt-affected areas in arid and semi-arid regions. Pearl millet (Pennistum glaucum), generally considered as fairly tolerant to salinity, could be an alternative crop option for salt affected areas. To explore the genotypic variability of vegetative-stage salinity tolerance, 100 pearl millet lines from ICRISAT breeding programs were first screened in a pot culture containing Alfisol with 250 mM NaCl solution as basal application. Subsequently, 31 lines including many parents of commercial hybrids, selected from the first trial were re-tested for confirmation of the initial salinity responses. Substantial variation for salinity tolerance was found on the basis of shoot biomass ratio (shoot biomass under salinity/ non-saline control) and 22 lines with a wide range of tolerance varying from highly tolerant to sensitive entries were identified. The performance of the genotypes was largely consistent across experiments. In a separate seed germination and seedling growth study, the seed germination was found to be adversely affected (more than 70% decrease) in more than half of the genotypes with 250 mM concentration of NaCl. The root growth ratio (root growth under salinity/control) as well as shoot growth ratio was measured at 6 DAS and this did not reflect the whole plant performance at 39 DAS. In general, the whole plant salinity tolerance was associated with reduced shoot N content, increased K⁺ and Na⁺ contents. The K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca⁺⁺/Na⁺ ratios were also positively related to the tolerance but not as closely as the Na⁺ content. Therefore, it is concluded that a large scope exists for improving salt tolerance in pearl millet and that shoot Na⁺ concentration could be considered as a potential non-destructive selection criterion for vegetative-stage screening. The usefulness of this criterion for salinity response with respect to grain and stover yield remains to be investigated.     

Variation in Salinity Tolerance in Sunflower (Helianthus annum L.)

Forty-five accessions of sunflower collected from different countries were screened for salinity tolerance after 2 weeks growth in sand culture salinized with 150 meq l^?1 of NaCl₂+ CaCl₂ (1:1 ratio equivalent wt. basis) in half strength Hoagland's nutrient solution. The results for plant biomass of 45 accessions show that there was considerable variation in salinity tolerance. In a further greenhouse experiment, the salinity tolerance of three tolerant (HO-1, Predovik, Euroflor) and two sensitive (SMH-24, 9UO-985) lines (selected on the basis of their performance in the seedling experiment) was assessed at the adult stage to evaluate the consistency of salinity tolerance at different growth stages. All three salt tolerant accessions produced significantly greater plant biomass, seed yield and seed oil content than the salt sensitive accessions. The tolerant accessions accumulated less Cl^? and more K⁺ in the leaves under saline conditions compared with the salt sensitive accessions. The salt tolerant accessions also maintained relatively high leaf K:Na ratio and K⁺ versus Na⁺ selectivity. Although statistically nonsignificant, all three tolerant accessions had greater soluble carbohydrates, soluble proteins, total free amino acids and proline in the leaves than the sensitive accessions. A field trial conducted in a salt-affected field confirmed the greenhouse results of the selected accessions. This study shows that salinity tolerance of sunflower does not vary with stage of plant cycle, so selection for increased salt tolerance can be carried out at the initial growth stage. Secondly, it is found that there is great variation of salt tolerance in sunflower. Low uptake of Cl^?, high uptake of K⁺, and maintenance of high K:Na ratios and K⁺ versus Na⁺ selectivity in the leaves and possibly the accumulation of organic osmotica such as soluble carbohydrates, soluble proteins, proline and free amino acids seem to be the important components of salt tolerance in sunflower.     

Effect of Salinity Stress on Growth and Nutrient Composition of Three Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) Cultivars

Soil salinity is a major limitation to legume production in many areas of the world. The salinity sensitivity of soybean was studied to determine the effect of salinity on seed germination, shoot and root dry weights, and leaf mineral contents. Three soybean cultivars, Lee, Coquitt, and Clark 63, were planted in soils of different salinity levels. The electrical conductivity (EC) of the soils used in this experiment was 0.5 dS m^?1. The soil salinity treatments were 0.5, 2.5 4.5, 6.5 and 8.5 dS m^?1. Saline drainage water from a drainage canal with an EC of 15 dS m^?1 was used to treat the soil samples in order to obtain the desired salinity levels. Germination percentages were recorded 10 days after planting. Shoot and root dry weights of 45‐day‐old plants were measured. Nutrient concentrations for Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cl^? were determined. Germination percentages were significantly reduced with increasing salinity levels. The cultivar Lee was less affected by salinity stress than Coquitt and Clark 63. At 8.5 dS m^?1 a significant reduction in plant height was found in all three cultivars. However, Lee plants were taller than plants of the other two cultivars. Salinity stress induced a significant increase in leaf sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl^?) in all cultivars. However, the cultivar Lee maintained lower Na⁺ and Cl⁺ concentrations, a higher potassium (K⁺) concentration and a higher K⁺/Na⁺ ratio at higher salinity levels than Coquitt and Clark 63. Saline stress reduced the accumulation of K⁺, calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺) in the leaves of the cultivars studied. This study suggests that Lee is the most tolerant cultivar, and that there is a relationship between the salt tolerance of the cultivar and macronutrient accumulation in the leaves.     

Root Nitrogen Remobilization and Ion Status of Two Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Cultivars in Response to Salinity Stress

In a pot experiment the responses of two alfalfa cultivars differing in salt tolerance were evaluated in terms of root nitrogen remobilization rates (RNRR) and their relationship with the ionic status of the plants. A split‐plot design with factorial treatments in three replications was used. Three levels of salinity stress with electrical conductivities (EC_s) of 1.2, 7 and 12 ds m^?1 were established in irrigation water by using tap water with and without NaCl. The average data taken from plant materials at three defoliations were used for statistical analysis. Each time, plant materials were harvested at the 10 % flowering stage and then 10 days later. From the results observed, it was found that alfalfa shoot growth is highly dependent on RNRR under salinity stress. However, the total N reserves within the roots do not appear to be a limiting factor. The high positive correlation coefficient between shoot K⁺/Na⁺ and RNRR (r = 0.77; P = 0.01) indicates that lower demands for N because of diminished metabolic activities within the shoot sink may have reduced the rates of root N utilization. Unlike in some other species, the shoot K⁺ concentration and contents of alfalfa plants were significantly reduced by increasing salt stress. However, a relatively suitable K⁺/Na⁺ ratio of 7.1 is maintained in the shoots at the second level of salinity, as lowering the rates of salt induced an increase in Na⁺ uptake (Na exclusion). The salt tolerance recognized in the Bami cultivar may be attributed to the 339 % increase in its selectivity rates of K⁺ over Na⁺ in ion transport from the soil to the shoots, as the shoot Na⁺ content did not increase with increasing salt levels.     

Biochar Mitigates Salinity Stress in Potato

A pot experiment was conducted in a climate‐controlled greenhouse to investigate the growth, physiology and yield of potato in response to salinity stress under biochar amendment. It was hypothesized that addition of biochar may improve plant growth and yield by mitigating the negative effect of salinity through its high sorption ability. From tuber bulking to harvesting, the plants were exposed to three saline irrigations, that is 0, 25 and 50 mm NaCl solutions, respectively, and two levels of biochar (0 % and 5 % W/W) treatments. An adsorption study was also conducted to study the Na⁺ adsorption capability of biochar. Results indicated that biochar was capable to ameliorate salinity stress by adsorbing Na⁺. Increasing salinity level resulted in significant reductions of shoot biomass, root length and volume, tuber yield, photosynthetic rate (A_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), midday leaf water potential, but increased abscisic acid (ABA) concentration in both leaf and xylem sap. At each salinity level, incorporation of biochar increased shoot biomass, root length and volume, tuber yield, A_n, g_s, midday leaf water potential, and decreased ABA concentration in the leaf and xylem sap as compared with the respective non‐biochar control. Decreased Na⁺, Na⁺/K⁺ ratio and increased K⁺ content in xylem with biochar amendment also indicated its ameliorative effects on potato plants in response to salinity stress. The results suggested that incorporation of biochar might be a promising approach for enhancing crop productivity in salt‐affected soils.     

A Comparison of Screening Criteria for Salt Tolerance in Wheat under Field and Controlled Environmental Conditions

Although many screening criteria have been suggested to distinguish between genotypes for their salt tolerance under controlled environmental conditions, there is a need to test these criteria in the field. Saline soils are often complex and, therefore, unlikely to show a simple relationship to controlled conditions. To address this deficit, different agronomic and physiological screening criteria for salt tolerance in wheat at different stages were examined under both field and controlled conditions. Four wheat genotypes differing in their salt‐tolerance levels were grown in salt‐affected soil at two different locations and also under greenhouse conditions. Dry weight and leaf area of the upper and lower two leaves of the main stem and total dry weight at Zadoks scale 47 were measured in plants grown under field conditions. The concentrations of Cl^?, Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca²⁺ in the upper and lower two leaves of the main stem at Zadoks scale 47 and different yield components were measured in plants grown under both conditions. Our results indicate that measurements derived from the upper two leaves of the main stem were generally more effective as screening criteria than those from the lower two leaves. Correlation coefficients between grain yield and either dry weight or leaf area of the upper two leaves of the main stem indicated that dry weight is inferior to leaf area as a screening criterion under field conditions. Number of sterile spikelets per plant performed well under both conditions, whereas the number of spikelets per plant and 1000‐grain weight failed to distinguish the differences of salt‐tolerance levels among genotypes accurately. Weight and number of grains per plant and number of fertile spikes per plant were poor criteria under controlled conditions, but effective under field conditions. The maintenance of low Cl^? and Na⁺ concentrations in the upper two leaves offered the best guide to salt tolerance under both conditions. Potassium concentration was a poor criterion compared with the selectivity of K⁺ over Na⁺, which was useful under both field and controlled conditions. Calcium concentration and Ca²⁺ over Na⁺ selectivity in the upper and/or lower two leaves of the main stem were also effective in ranking genotypes according to their salt tolerance under both field and controlled conditions. Therefore, we conclude that simple measurements of the upper two leaves of the main stem including a straightforward measurement of leaf area, visually estimating the number of sterile spikelets, and a quick, practical determination of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ concentration constitute effective criteria to screen wheat genotypes for salt tolerance under both field and controlled conditions.     

Maize genotypes with deep root systems tolerate salt stress better than those with shallow root systems during early growth

Maize (Zea mays L.) is susceptible to salinity but shows genotypic variation for salt tolerance. How maize genotypes with contrasting root morphological traits respond to salt stress remains unclear. This study assessed genotypic variation in salinity tolerance of 20 maize genotypes with contrasting root systems exposed to NaCl for 10 days (0, 50 mM or 100 mM NaCl, added in four increments every other day from 14 days after transplanting, DAT) in a semi-hydroponic phenotyping system in a temperature-controlled greenhouse. Considerable variation was observed for each of the 12 measured shoot and root traits among the 20 genotypes under NaCl treatments. Salt stress significantly decreased biomass production by up to 54% in shoots and 37% in roots compared with the non-saline control. The 20 genotypes were classified as salt-tolerant (8 genotypes), moderately tolerant (5) and salt-sensitive (7) genotypes based on the mean shoot dry weight ratio (the ratio of shoot dry weight at 100 mM NaCl and non-saline control) ± one standard error. The more salt-tolerant genotypes (such as Jindan52) had less reductions in growth, and lower shoot Na⁺ contents and higher shoot K⁺/Na⁺ ratios under salt stress. The declared salt tolerance was positively correlated with shoot height, shoot dry weight and primary root depth, and negatively correlated with shoot Na⁺ content at 100 mM NaCl. Primary root depth is critical for identifying salt responsiveness in maize plants and could be suggested as a selection criterion for screening salt tolerance of maize during early growth. The selected salt-tolerant genotypes have potentials for cultivation in saline soils and for developing high-yielding salt-tolerant maize hybrids in future breeding programmes.