Effects of saline and alkaline stresses on the germination, growth, photosynthesis, ionic balance and anti-oxidant system in an alkali-tolerant leguminous forage Lathyrus quinquenervius

We compared the effects of saline stress (9:1 molar ratio of NaCl : Na₂SO₄, pH 6.44–6.65) and alkaline stress (9:1 molar ratio of NaHCO₃ : Na₂CO₃, pH 8.71–8.89) on the germination, growth, photosynthesis, ionic balance and activity of anti-oxidant enzymes of Lathyrus quinquenervius to elucidate the physiological adaptive mechanism of plants to alkaline stress (high pH). The results showed that, at a low stress intensity, the effects of saline stress and alkaline stress on L. quinquenervius were similar. Compared with saline stress, high alkaline stress intensity clearly inhibited germination, growth, photosynthesis and root system activity, and led to a sharp increase in Na⁺ and an ion imbalance in the shoots, as well as enhanced H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde content, resulting in severe intracellular oxidative stress. The results indicated that the accumulation of organic acid was a central adaptive mechanism by which L. quinquenervius maintained intracellular ionic balance under alkaline stress. Lathyrus quinquenervius may enhance organic acid synthesis to remedy the shortage of negative charge resulting from the massive influx of Na⁺ and decreased inorganic anions. In addition, saline stress and low alkaline stress slightly enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), but did not affect catalase (CAT) activity. However, strong alkaline stress significantly enhanced the activities of SOD and APX, and reduced CAT activity. We propose that enhancing the activities of SOD and APX may be a vital mechanism by which L. quinquenervius resists oxidative stress caused by alkaline stress.