Comparison of the distribution of mineral nutrients and active substances in dehydration- and salinity-stressed Aloe vera L.

Changes in growth and distribution of inorganic mineral elements and organic active substances in seedlings of A. vera were examined under treatments of ?0.44 and ?0.88 MPa polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) and corresponding isosmotic sodium chloride (NaCl). All stress treatments inhibited plant growth, with NaCl severely inhibiting the growth of the seedlings than PEG. However, leaf biomass did not change significantly. The nitrogen concentration under PEG was maintained higher than that under NaCl. Salinity caused more severe ionic imbalance than dehydration. However, when the concentration of NaCl was increased, ion homeostasis was maintained. Stressors induced an increase in aloin concentration in leaves, especially in young leaves. Polysaccharide concentrations in leaves did not change under dehydration. However, the polysaccharide concentration decreased in the middle and base leaves under NaCl. A. vera exhibited high adaptability to suitable osmotic stress, which increases its main active ingredients in leaves.     

EFFECTS OF SALINITY STRESS ON PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS WHEAT AND BARLEY CULTIVARS

An experiment with factorial arrangement of treatments on a randomized complete block (RCB) design basis with three replications was conducted in a greenhouse during Spring 2010 to investigate changes in sodium ion (Na⁺), potassium ion (K⁺), Na⁺/K⁺ and to determine proline, protein content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) of four wheat and four barley cultivars. Three salt levels {1, control (no salt), 7, and 13 dS m^?1 [2.5 and 5 g salt [sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) in 1:1 ratio] per kg of soil, respectively]} were used in this investigation. Salt stress treatments were applied 4 weeks after planting (at 2 leaf stage). Leaf samples were taken four weeks after imposition of salt treatment. The results showed that salinity caused an increased in proline and protein content, and SOD in all wheat and barley cultivars. The highest proline and protein content of barley and wheat cultivars at all salinity levels were observed in ‘Nimrooz’ and ‘Bam’ cultivars, respectively. At all salinity levels, wheat and barley cultivars ‘Kavir’ and ‘Nimrooz’, respectively, had the lowest Na⁺ content. Barley cultivar ‘Kavir’ and wheat cultivar ‘Bam’ had higher K⁺ and K⁺:Na⁺ ratios. This might be related to salt tolerance in these two cultivars. Wheat and barley cultivars showed differences with regard to proline, protein, and SOD content, Na⁺, K⁺, and K⁺:Na⁺ ratio, indicating existence of genetic diversity among the cultivars. These findings indicated that higher K⁺, K⁺:Na⁺ ratio, proline, protein, and SOD content could be the key factors, which offer advantage to barley over wheat for superior performance under saline conditions.     

Proline accumulation as a response to salt stress in 30 wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.) cultivars differing in salt tolerance

The effects of NaCl salt (EC = 16 dS m⁻¹) on water potential, and accumulation of proline, Na⁺ and K⁺ in leaves on the main stem of 30 wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) at awn appearance and 20 days after anthesis (20 DAA) were evaluated in a greenhouse experiment. Plants were arranged in a according to a randomized complete block design with factorial treatments in three replications. Proline accumulation at 20 DAA increased with increasing salt stress. This increase was 27.4-fold with the salt-sensitive cultivar “Ghods,” while the mean was 5.2-fold for 19 salt-resistant cultivars. Positive correlations between proline, and K⁺ + Na⁺ concentrations associated with higher sensitivity to salt stress indicated that proline may not have a protecting role against salt stress. No correlation was observed between leaf proline and water potential. Almost no contribution to the osmotic adjustment seems to be made by proline. The contribution made by proline to the osmotic adjustment of plants at 20 DAA was 0.69 bar, whereas that made by K⁺ and Na⁺ was 2.11 and 4.48 bar, respectively. The 30 wheat CV_s used in this experiment showed different performances regarding the traits observed. Eleven of them showing the higher stress sensitivity indices had the highest level of proline and Na⁺ concentrations. They were considered to be salt-sensitive cultivars. Among the others, nine cultivars showed salt tolerance with almost the same Na⁺ and proline concentrations, but a higher K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity of ions from leaf to grains. In 10 of the cultivars, Na⁺ and proline concentrations were low, indicating the presence of a salt avoiding mechanism.     

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF THE HIGHLY-TOLERANT TOMATO CV. ‘PONCHO NEGRO’ TO SALINITY AND EXCESS BORON

The variety of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) called ‘Poncho Negro’ by farmers represents an important source of genetic resources of agricultural interest, because it has managed to thrive at levels of salinity and excess B that other varieties of the same species find impossible. This work was conducted under controlled growth conditions in a greenhouse, evaluating and obtaining plant material that served for physiological, chemical, and biochemical determinations. Stress conditions were supplied by irrigation, using different concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl; 75 and 150 mM) and excess boron (B; 5 and 20 mg L^?1). The rate of net carbon dioxide (CO₂) assimilation, the quantum efficiency of photosynthesis and the relative water content (RWC) were measured. In addition, B, sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), and calcium (Ca²⁺), soluble sugars, and proline were quantified. The results suggest that ‘Poncho Negro’ accumulated Na⁺ mainly in the roots, partly limiting its entry into the aerial parts. In addition, it should be noted that the interaction of B and salinity reduced the movement of Na⁺ to the leaves. The ability of cv. ‘Poncho Negro’ to minimize leaf Na⁺ accumulation, accumulate more leaf B than control plants, and maintain its K⁺ level, when grown with an excess of B, possibly allowed the observed increase in the rate of photosynthesis. In addition, these tomato plants used proline and soluble sugars as osmo-regulators under high-B and saline conditions. Under all stress conditions studied, this variety of tomato was able to regulate its water content, with RWC values of approximately 86%.     

Differences in Physiological Traits Among Salt‐Stressed Barley Genotypes

Abstract

The effect of salinity on some physiological parameters in 16 barley genotypes with different salt tolerance was investigated. The results showed 50 mM NaCl treatment increased Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline contents, and decreased cell membrane stability index (CMSI) and fresh shoot biomass (FSB) of all tested genotypes. Salt stress also resulted in a decreased chlorophyll (Chl) content and net photosynthesis (Pn) for most genotypes. Under higher salt stress (300 mM NaCl), the marked increase for Na⁺/K⁺, MDA, and proline content, and decrease for other parameters were found for all genotypes. The affected extent of these parameters by salt stress varied with genotypes. Proline accumulation in barley was associated with injured extent under salt stress, indicating it is not a defensive reaction to the stress. K⁺ uptake was less affected, whereas Na⁺ accumulation in plants was enhanced under high salt stress. The correlation analysis showed that MDA and proline content, Na⁺ concentration and Na⁺/K⁺ were negatively correlated with FSB, whereas other parameters examined in the study were positively correlated with FSB.     

CONTRIBUTION OF PROLINE AND INORGANIC SOLUTES TO OSMOTIC ADJUSTMENT IN COTTON UNDER SALT STRESS

Physiological responses to salt stress were investigated in two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars (Pora and Guazuncho) grown hydroponically under various concentrations of NaCl. Dry matter partitioning, plant water relations, mineral composition and proline content were studied. Proline and inorganic solutes were measured to determine their relative contribution to osmotic adjustment. Both leaf water potential (Ψ_w) and osmotic potential (Ψ_s)decreased in response to NaCl levels. Although Ψ_wand Ψ_s decreased during salt stress, pressure potential Ψ_p remained between 0.5 to 0.7 MPa in control and all NaCl treatments, even under 200 mol m^?3 NaCl. Increased NaCl levels resulted in a significant decrease in root, shoot and leaf growth biomass. Root / shoot ratio increased in response to salt stress. The responses of both cultivars to NaCl stress were similar. Increasing salinity levels increased plant Na⁺ and Cl^?. Potassium level remained stable in the leaves and decreased in the roots with increasing salinity. Salinity decreased Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ concentrations in leaves but did not affect the root levels of these nutrients. The K/Na selectivity ratio was much greater in the saline treated plants than in the control plants. Osmotic adjustment of roots and leaves was predominantly due to Na⁺ and Cl^? accumulation; the contribution of proline to the osmotic adjustment seemed to be less important in these cotton cultivars.     

SOME DELETERIOUS EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM SALT STRESS ON GROWTH,NUTRITION, AND PHYSIOLOGY OF GERBERA (GERBERA JAMESONII L.) AND POTENTIAL INDICATORS OF ITS SALT TOLERANCE

Tolerance of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii L.) to long-term sodium chloride (NaCl) salt stress was evaluated by subjecting plants to 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mM NaCl levels for ten weeks. Increased NaCl led to a significant decrease in leaf and stem biomass. Salt stress significantly affected sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺) concentrations in leaves, stems and roots leading to sharp declines in K⁺/Na⁺ ratios. Magnesium concentrations in stems and roots also showed significant declines. Adverse effect of salt stress on chlorophyll content was also significant. Proline seemed less effective in osmotic adjustment under long-term high salt stress. Switching from vegetative to reproductive growth phase was crucial for certain physiological functions. Leaf Na⁺ concentration showed significant correlation with important traits. These data suggest that NaCl threshold level in irrigation water for gerbera is around 10 mM. Leaf fresh weight, chlorophyll content and leaf K⁺/Na⁺ ratio are promising indicators of salt-sensitivity of gerbera.     

Protective role of proline against salt stress is partially related to the improvement of water status and peroxidase enzyme activity in cucumber

Abstract

A salt-sensitive cucumber cultivar “Jinchun No. 2” (Cucumis sativus L.) was used to investigate the role of proline in alleviating salt stress in cucumber. Proline was applied twice (day 0 and day 4 after salt treatment) as a foliar spray, with a volume of 25?mL per plant at each time. Plant dry weight, leaf relative water content, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^? contents, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities in the plants were determined at day 8 after salt treatment. The results showed that 100?mmol?L^–1 NaCl stress significantly decreased plant dry weight, leaf relative water and K⁺ contents, and increased leaf MDA, Na⁺ and Cl^? contents and SOD, POD, CAT and APX activities. However, leaf proline accumulation was not affected by salinity. The exogenous application of proline significantly alleviated the growth inhibition of plants induced by NaCl, and was accompanied by higher leaf relative water content and POD activity, higher proline and Cl^? contents, and lower MDA content and SOD activity. However, there was no significant difference in Na⁺ and K⁺ contents or in CAT and APX activities between proline-treated and untreated plants under salt stress. Taken together, these results suggested that the foliar application of proline was an effective way to improve the salt tolerance of cucumber. The enhanced salt tolerance could be partially attributed to the improved water status and peroxidase enzyme activity in the leaf.     

燕麦幼苗对氯化钠和氯化钾胁迫的生理响应差异

为探讨燕麦对NaCl和KCl胁迫的生理响应差异,采用水培法,研究了不同浓度NaCl和KCl胁迫对幼苗生长,活性氧代谢和渗透调节的影响。结果表明:(1)在75和150mmol/L浓度下,NaCl胁迫对燕麦幼苗的膜脂过氧化伤害和生长抑制大于KCl胁迫。NaCl胁迫下叶片中的超氧化物岐化酶(SOD),过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性及可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量低于KCl胁迫;当浓度增大到225mmol/L时,KCl胁迫叶片中O-2.,H2O2,丙二醛(MDA),可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量显著大于NaCl胁迫,而SOD,抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性及谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量则相反。(2)225mmol/L KCl和NaCl处理的植株叶片水势分别为-0.867和-1.034 MPa,渗透势分别为-1.409和-1.252 MPa,说明KCl对燕麦的更强伤害不是渗透胁迫所致;经225mmol/L KCl胁迫后,燕麦叶片中Na+含量下降至对照的36.5%,而K+含量上升为对照的1.49倍,而补充20mmol/L NaCl显著提高了225mmol/L KCl胁迫下叶片Na+的含量及SOD,APX活性,降低了K+,H2O2,O-2.和MDA含量,说明离子毒害引起的活性氧积累可能是高浓度KCl胁迫对燕麦幼苗伤害大于NaCl胁迫的重要原因。     

Silicon and Potassium Nutrition Enhances Salt Adaptation Capability of Sunflower by Improving Plant Water Status and Membrane Stability

The relationships between salinity and mineral nutrition are extremely complex and may change depending on many factors in soil-plant system. We investigated the contribution of silicon (Si at 50 mg kg^?1 soil) and potassium (K at 40 and 60 mg K₂O kg^?1 soil) to improve salt tolerance in sunflower grown with 100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl). The experimental design was factorial based on a completely randomized design with five replications. Added NaCl increased sodium ion (Na⁺) accumulation by 966 percent in shoots and 1200 percent in roots but reduced shoot potassium ion (K⁺) concentration by 49 percent, root K⁺ 51 percent, and shoot K⁺/Na⁺ ratio 95 percent. However, Si and K application effectively reduced Na⁺ accumulation and increased K⁺ concentration and K⁺:Na⁺ ratio, with a significant improvement in plant growth and yield. Among all treatments, greater alleviative effects of Si and K were observed for 50 mg Si + 60 mg K₂O kg^?1 soil, which decreased shoot Na⁺ concentration by 67 percent, root Na⁺ 18 percent, and shoot Na⁺/root Na⁺ ratio 60 percent and increased shoot K⁺ by 198 percent, shoot K⁺/Na⁺ ratio 812 percent, membrane stability index (MSI) 35 percent, relative water content (RWC) 26 percent, and seed weight head^?1 86 percent compared to salt-stressed plants without supplemental Si and K. Most of the plant growth parameters were negatively correlated with Na⁺ accumulation but positively correlated with K⁺ and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio. This study suggests that Si and K mediated reduction in Na⁺ accumulation, and increase in K⁺ concentration, K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, RWC, and MSI are the main factors contributing to improved adaptation capability of sunflower to NaCl stress.     

PEG预处理对盐及镉胁迫下黑麦草生理代谢的影响

为了探讨PEG预处理对盐胁迫和镉胁迫下多年生黑麦草幼苗生理特性的影响,将黑麦草幼苗分别用0,5%,10%,15%,20%,25%(对应水势分别为0,-0.05,-0.15,-0.30,-0.50,-0.77 MPa)的PEG-6000营养液进行预处理后,分别用含150 mmol/L NaCl和Cd~(2+)浓度为10 mg/L的胁迫液培养,然后测定黑麦草幼苗叶片的光合色素含量、MDA含量、游离脯氨酸含量、可溶性糖含量及抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT、APX)活性。结果表明:盐胁迫下15%(-0.30 MPa)PEG预处理和镉胁迫下10%(-0.15 MPa)PEG预处理可以有效提高多年生黑麦草的光合色素含量,降低MDA、游离脯氨酸含量,增加可溶性糖含量,提高抗氧化酶活性。PEG预处理下多年生黑麦草在遭受逆境胁迫时,受到多种生理生化的调节,其生理指标的动态变化是黑麦草应答逆境因子胁迫的重要调节机制,体现了其对逆境胁迫的适应能力以及在多种逆境胁迫下的交叉适应能力。     

Effect of grafting on the growth and ion concentrations of cucumber seedlings under NaCl stress

Abstract

To assess whether grafting raised the salt tolerance of cucumber seedlings by limiting transport of Na⁺ to the leaf and to test whether the salt tolerance of grafted plants was affected by the shoot genotype, two cucumber cultivars (“Jinchun No. 2”, a relatively salt-sensitive cultivar, and “Zaoduojia”, a relative salt-tolerant cultivar) were grafted onto rootstock pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. cv. “Chaojiquanwang”, a salt-tolerant cultivar). Ungrafted plants were used as controls. The effects of grafting on plant growth and ion concentrations were investigated under NaCl stress. Reductions in the shoot and root dry weights, leaf area and stem diameter of grafted plants were lower and concentrations of K⁺ and Cl^? in the leaves were higher than those of ungrafted plants under the same NaCl stress. The Na⁺ concentration and Na⁺/K⁺ ratio in scion leaves and in the stems of grafted plants were lower, whereas those in rootstock stems and roots were higher than in ungrafted plants under the same NaCl stress. Shoot and root dry weight, leaf area and stem diameter were negatively correlated with leaf Na⁺ concentrations and Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, but were positively correlated with leaf K⁺ concentrations. The Na⁺ concentrations and Na⁺/K⁺ ratio were lower, whereas the K⁺ concentrations in the leaves of grafted “Zaoduojia” plants were higher than those in grafted “Jinchun No. 2” plants under the same NaCl stress. The reductions in leaf area and stem diameter of grafted “Jinchun No. 2” plants were more severe than those of grafted “Zaoduojia” plants. These results indicate that: (1) the higher salt tolerance of grafted cucumber seedlings is associated with lower Na⁺ concentrations and Na⁺/K⁺ ratio and higher K⁺ concentrations in the leaves, (2) grafting improved the salt tolerance of cucumber seedlings by limiting the transport of Na⁺ to the leaves, (3) the salt tolerance of grafted cucumber seedlings is related to the shoot genotype.     

Under drought conditions NaCl improves the nutritional status of the xerophyte Zygophyllum xanthoxylum but not of the glycophyte Arabidopsis thaliana

Zygophyllum xanthoxylum is a salt‐accumulating xerophytic species with excellent adaptability to adverse environments. Previous studies demonstrated that Z. xanthoxylum absorbs a great quantity of Na⁺ as an osmoregulatory substance under arid conditions. To investigate the nutritional status of Z. xanthoxylum in comparison with a typical glycophyte, Arabidopsis thaliana, seedlings were exposed to NaCl (50 mM for Z. xanthoxylum and 5 mM for A. thaliana), osmotic stress (–0.5 MPa), and osmotic stress combined with the NaCl treatment. Compared to the control, NaCl treatment or osmotic stress significantly increased Na⁺ concentration in leaves and roots of Z. xanthoxylum, but not of A. thaliana. Under osmotic stress, the addition of NaCl significantly increased Na⁺ concentration in leaves and roots of Z. xanthoxylum, resulting in improved biomass and tissue water content. However, such changes were not observed in A. thaliana. Compared to the control, K⁺ concentrations in leaves and roots remained unchanged in Z. xanthoxylum when exposed to osmotic stress, with or without additional 50 mM NaCl. In contrast, significant reductions in shoot K⁺ concentrations of A. thaliana were observed under osmotic stress alone or when combined with 5 mM NaCl. Moreover, NaCl alone or when combined with osmotic stress enhanced the accumulation of N, P, Fe, Si, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ in Z. xanthoxylum, but did not cause such nutritional changes in A. thaliana. Compared to the glycophyte A. thaliana, Z. xanthoxylum could accumulate Na⁺ and maintain the stability of nutritional status at a relatively constant level to cope with drought stress.     

Effect of potassium on uptake and translocation of sodium and potassium in Chinese cabbage under NaCl stress

To investigate the influence of potassium (K⁺) on the salinity tolerance of Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis Rupr.) seedlings, the plants were cultured at three K⁺ levels (0, 5, or 10?mM), under normal (0?mM NaCl) and high-salt (100?mM NaCl) conditions. The results indicated that the dry weight of Chinese cabbage increased with the application of K⁺ under salt stress. Addition of K⁺ increased K⁺ concentrations and suppressed sodium (Na⁺) concentration, which eventually increased the K⁺/Na⁺ ratios in roots or shoots. Application of K⁺ enhanced the uptake of K⁺ and suppressed the uptake of Na⁺. Moreover, the ratios of shoot-K⁺/root-K⁺ increased considerably, but the ratios of shoot-Na⁺/root-Na⁺ decreased in response to K⁺ application. It was concluded that the application of K⁺ could enhance the salt stress tolerance in Chinese cabbage because more K⁺ than Na⁺ was absorbed and translocated from roots to shoots.     

Effects of NaCl and silicon on ion distribution in the roots,shoots and leaves of two alfalfa cultivars with different salt tolerance

Abstract

The effects of exogenous NaCl and silicon on ion distribution were investigated in two alfalfa (Medicago sativa. L.) cultivars: the high salt tolerant Zhongmu No. 1 and the low salt tolerant Defor. The cultivars were grown in a hydroponic system with a control (that had neither NaCl nor Si added), a Si treatment (1 mmol L^?1 Si), a NaCl treatment (120 mmol L^?1 NaCl), and a Si and NaCl treatment (120 mmol L^?1 NaCl + 1 mmol L^?1 Si). After 15 days of the NaCl and Si treatments, four plants of the cultivars were removed and divided into root, shoot and leaf parts for Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ content measurements. Compared with the NaCl treatment, the added Si significantly decreased Na⁺ content in the roots, but notably increased K⁺ contents in the shoots and leaves of the high salt tolerant Zhongmu No.1 cultivar. Applying Si to both cultivars under NaCl stress did not significantly affect the Fe³⁺, Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ contents in the roots, shoots and leaves of Defor and the roots and shoots of Zhongmu No.1, but increased the Ca²⁺ content in the roots of Zhongmu No.1 and the Mn²⁺ contents in the shoots and leaves of both cultivars, while it decreased the Ca²⁺ and Cu²⁺ contents of the shoots and leaves of both cultivars under salt stress. Salt stress decreased the K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ contents in plants, but significantly increased Zn²⁺ content in the roots, shoots and leaves and Mn²⁺ content in the shoots of both cultivars when Si was not applied. Thus, salt affects not only the macronutrient distribution but also the micronutrient distribution in alfalfa plants, while silicon could alter the distributions of Na⁺ and some trophic ions in the roots, shoots and leaves of plants to improve the salt tolerance.     

Genetic variability for responses to short‐ and long‐term salt stress in vegetative sunflower plants

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has been rated as moderately salt‐resistant, and variability for salt resistance has been detected within this crop. However, variability in salt‐resistance mechanisms has not been assessed. Osmotic tolerance, the relation of salt resistance with whole‐plant Na⁺ and K⁺ distribution and tissue Na⁺ tolerance were investigated in several sunflower inbred lines. Plants were grown under controlled conditions, in pots with sand and perlite irrigated with salinized (NaCl, –0.65 MPa) nutrient solution. Osmotic tolerance was assessed from the initial effects of the salt treatment on plant elongation in eleven sunflower lines. Long‐term salinity responses were evaluated in four of those lines, by assessing whole‐plant growth. A principal components analysis (PCA) was run on relative‐to‐control growth data, and this information was used to establish a relative resistance ranking, which indicated lines HAR2 > HAR1 > HA64 > HAR5. Osmotic tolerance was observed in HA64 and HAR2. The lines showed different degrees of Na⁺ accumulation, it was very low in some of them, but relative salt resistance was not associated to this trait. Tissue Na⁺ tolerance was deduced by comparing the percentage of dead leaves as a function of leaf blade Na⁺ accumulation, and it was higher in HAR1 than in the rest. These results indicate that variability for salt‐resistance mechanisms exists in sunflower. Osmotic tolerance and tissue Na⁺ tolerance were detected in different lines, highlighting that such variability may be exploited for increasing salt resistance in this crop.     

Mitigation of salinity stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings through physiological seed enhancements

Salinity stress can be mitigated by using the physiological seed enhancements. Kharchia 65 (salt tolerant) and PI.94341 (salt sensitive) genotypes were evaluated under salt stress (20 dS/m) by various priming treatments, that is hydropriming and halopriming (50?mmol, KCl and NaCl) in a pot study. Experiment was conducted in completely randomized design under factorial arrangements with three replications. Priming agents improved the final emergence percentage (FEP), emergence index (EI) and reduced the mean emergence time of both wheat genotypes under normal and saline conditions as compared to non-primed seed. Priming treatments elicited the efficiency of wheat seedlings by increasing both Fv/Fm and Ft under both normal and salt stress conditions which were strongly linked with low Na⁺ and high K⁺. In conclusion, all three priming agents effectively nullified the deleterious effects of salt stress by improving seed emergence and triggering the physiological attributes of wheat.     

Auswirkungen hoher NaCl-Konzentration im Nährmedium auf die Transpiration,den Abscisinsäure-, Cytokinin- und Prolingehalt zweier Sojabohnensorten

Effect of high NaCl concentration in the nutrient medium on transpiration, abscisic acid, cytokinin and proline content of two soybean varieties With the differentially salt-sensitive soybean varieties ?Lee”? and ?Jackson”? the effect of salinization on transpiration, Cl^? and Na⁺ accumulation, and on abscisic acid (ABA), cytokinin and proline content was investigated. Salinization with 75 mM NaCl in the nutrient medium drastically inhibited the transpiration (about 40%) of both varieties but more so with the variety ?Jackson”?. Nevertheless this variety translocated substantially more Cl^? into the shoot than ?Lee”?. However, ?Lee”? accumulated more Cl^? into the roots and thus was able to effectively protect the shoot against a toxic Cl^? concentration. The Na⁺ distribution in the roots and shoots was nearly the same in both varieties. The ABA content of the leaves of both varieties increased 5-fold to 1200 ng × g^? dry weight after 48 h of salt stress. About the same time transpiration of the salt-stressed plants reached a minimum. Between 48 and 168 h the ABA content of ?Lee”? dropped to about half. The ABA level in ?Jackson”? remained higher which indicated that the shoot was stressed more intensely and/or longer. The results do not imply a causal relationship between the ABA concentration in the leaves and the exclusion of C1^? from the shoot of ?Lee”?. The cytokinin concentration of the two soybean varieties was not significantly affected by salinization. The proline content in the leaves increased markedly with salt stress in both varieties but much more so in ?Jackson”?. Proline content in the leaves increased from about 1.8 μmoles × g^?1 dr. w. before salt stress to 24.7 μmoles × g^?1 dr. w. after 168 h of stress. However, the proline concentration dropped to nearly the initial level within 48 h after a 120 h salt stress treatment was discontinued and the plants were returned to a control solution. In ?Lee”? salinization only doubled the amount of proline found initially. The highest value was observed after 120 h of salinization.     

La(NO3)3 对盐胁迫下黑麦草幼苗生长及抗逆生理特性的影响

为探讨稀土元素镧(La)对牧草盐胁迫伤害的缓解作用, 采用水培法研究了叶面喷施20 mg·L^-1La(NO₃)₃ 对NaCl 胁迫下黑麦草幼苗生长及其抗逆生理特性的影响。结果表明: 盐胁迫显著抑制黑麦草幼苗的生长, 提高叶片电解质渗漏率及丙二醛(MDA)、O₂^- 和H₂O₂ 含量, 其作用随盐浓度的增大而增强。超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性和抗坏血酸(AsA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)、可溶性蛋白质、脯氨酸含量随盐浓度增大呈先升后降趋势, 可溶性糖和Na⁺/K⁺比逐渐增大, 质膜H⁺-ATP 酶活性逐渐降低, 过氧化物酶(POD)活性及POD 同功酶数量表达增强。喷施La(NO₃)₃ 处理可降低盐胁迫下黑麦草幼苗叶片的O₂^- 和H₂O₂ 含量, 提高SOD、CAT、POD、APX 和质膜H⁺-ATP 酶的活性及POD 同功酶的表达, 使AsA、GSH、可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖和游离脯氨酸含量及幼苗生物量增加, Na⁺/K⁺比降低。表明La(NO₃)₃ 可通过提高抗氧化系统的活性和积累渗透溶质减轻盐胁迫伤害, 从而提高黑麦草的耐盐性。     

RESPONSES OF SOME ENZYMES AND KEY GROWTH PARAMETERS OF SALT-STRESSED MAIZE PLANTS TO FOLIAR AND SEED APPLICATIONS OF KINETIN AND INDOLE ACETIC ACID

The study examined the effects of kinetin (KIN) and indoleacetic acid (IAA) applied as seed treatment or sprayed on leaves of salinity stressed plants. Five -week old maize (Zea mays L. cv. ‘DK 647 F1’) plants were grown in pots containing peat and perlite in 1:1 (v/v) mixture. Different treatments used were: 1) control (nutrient solution alone), 2) salt stress [100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)], 3) 100 mM NaCl and 1 mM kinetin (KIN), 4) 100 mM NaCl and 2 mM KIN, 5) 100 mM NaCl and 1 mM indole acetic acid (IAA), 6) 100 mM NaCl and 2 mM IAA, 7) 100 mM NaCl and 25 mg L^?1 KIN and 8) 100 mM NaCl and 25 mg L^?1 IAA. In treatments 7 and 8 application was to the seeds, for treatments 3-6 it was applied to foliage. The seeds were soaked in KIN or IAA solution for 12 h. Salt stress reduced the total dry matter, chlorophyll content, and relative water content (RWC), but increased proline accumulation, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), peroxidase (POD; EC. 1.11.1.7), catalase (CAT; EC. 1.11.1.6) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO; 1.10.3.1) and electrolyte leakage. Both foliar applications of KIN and IAA treatments overcame to variable extents the adverse effects of NaCl stress on the above mentioned physiological parameters. However, seed treatments with KIN or IAA did not improve salinity tolerance in maize plants. Furthermore, foliar application or seed treatments with KIN and IAA reduced the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the salt stressed-plants. Salt stress lowered some macronutrient concentrations [calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) in leaves and roots, phosphorus (P) in roots] but foliar application of both KIN and IAA increased Ca in both leaves and roots and P in leaves. Foliar application of IAA increased K concentrations in leaves of the salt-stressed plants. Foliar application of KIN and IAA, especially at 2 mM concentration, counteracted some of the adverse effects of NaCl salinity by causing the accumulation of proline and essential inorganic nutrients as well as by maintaining membrane permeability.