Growth and physiological characterization of low nitrogen responses in Tibetan wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum) and cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Development of crop cultivars with high yield under low nitrogen (N) supply is a basic approach for the enhancement of agricultural sustainability. The previous studies showed that Tibetan wild barley shows wider genetic diversity in abiotic stress and poor fertility tolerance. In this study, four barley genotypes (two Tibetan wild and two cultivated), differing in N use efficiency (NUE), were characterized for their growth and physiological responses to low N stress. The genotypes ZD9 (cultivated) and XZ149 (wild) with high NUE performed better in terms of shoot dry weight (DW) and photosynthetic parameters under both low and normal N levels and had higher antioxidative enzyme activities, N concentration, and accumulation in both shoots and roots under low N stress. The current results showed the substantial difference among barley genotypes in low N tolerance and verified the significance of Tibetan wild barley in the genetic improvement of cultivated barley in NUE.     

Difference in response to aluminum stress among Tibetan wild barley genotypes

Wild barley (Hordeum sp.) germplasm is rich in genetic diversity and provides a treasure trove of useful genes for crop improvement. We carried out a comprehensive program combining short‐term hydroponic screening via hematoxylin‐staining of root‐regrowth procedure and filter paper–based evaluation of diverse germplasm in response to Al/acid stress using 105 annual Tibetan wild barley and 45 cultivated barley genotypes. Root elongation among the 105 Tibetan wild barley genotypes varied significantly after Al exposure, ranging from 62.9% to 80.0% in variation coefficients and 4.35 to 4.45 in diversity index. These genotypic differences in Al resistance were fairly consistent in both the hydroponic and filter paper–based evaluations: XZ16, XZ166, and XZ113 were selected as Al‐resistant genotypes, and XZ61, XZ45, and XZ98 as Al‐sensitive wild genotypes. Furthermore, significantly lower Al concentrations in roots and shoots were detected in the three selected Al‐resistant genotypes than in the three sensitive genotypes in the filter paper–based experiment. Meanwhile, XZ16 was the least affected by Al toxicity in regard to reduced SPAD value (chlorophyll meter readings), plant height, root length, dry biomass, tillers per plant, and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) in the long‐term hydroponic experiment compared with the Al‐resistant cultivated barley cv. Dayton, while XZ61 had the severest stress symptoms.     

The effect of cobalt stress on growth and physiological traits and its association with cobalt accumulation in barley genotypes differing in cobalt tolerance

Cobalt (Co) is beneficial for legume plants and not an essential element for most plants. There is no sufficient information about the effect of Co stress on barley growth. The current experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of different Co levels (25, 50, 75, and 100 µM) on growth and physiological traits of three barley genotypes (B325, J36, and B340) differing in Co tolerance. The results showed that Co stress inhibited plant growth, decreased chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate, and enhanced oxidative stress. However, the effects differed among genotypes, with B325 and B340 being the most and the least affected, respectively. Co stress caused decrease and increase of manganese (Mn) and phosphorus (P) concentrations in both roots and shoots, respectively; iron (Fe) concentration had little change in shoots and a significant decrease in roots. The current results showed a close association of Co tolerance and its accumulation in plant tissues.     

Physiological mechanisms for antagonistic interaction of manganese and aluminum in barley

In a previous study, we found that the combined addition of Al and Mn in the culture solution could alleviate the inhibition of barley growth by addition of Al or Mn alone. The current experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to investigate the physiological mechanisms of the antagonistic interaction using two barley genotypes, XZ16 (both Al and Mn tolerant) and ZU9 (both Al and Mn sensitive). The treatments consisted of three Al levels (0, 0.1, and 0.5?mM) and three Mn levels (0, 0.2, and 1.0?mM) and their combinations, and a completely randomized block design was used with three replications. The combined treatments had larger plant biomass, lower Al and Mn concentrations and accumulation in plant tissues, lower malondialdehyde content, and higher root ATPases activities, compared with Al or Mn alone treatment. The two genotypes had the similar trend in the antagonistic interaction, with ZU9 being more predominant than XZ16.     

拟南芥14-3-3蛋白GRF9调控番茄根系响应水分胁迫的生理机制

采用35S启动子控制Arabidopsis General Regulatory Factor 9 (AtGRF9)在两个转基因番茄株系(E2,E7)中高效表达,以野生型番茄WT、转基因番茄E2和E7三个株系为试验材料,在水培条件下用20%聚乙二醇(PEG6000)模拟干旱胁迫,探究了拟南芥14-3-3蛋白GRF9能否增强番茄根系响应水分胁迫的能力。结果表明:①在干旱胁迫下,野生型番茄和转基因番茄的根系形态指标均受到不同程度的抑制,WT、E2和E7三个番茄材料相对总根长的受抑制程度分别为43%、28%、30%,相对根表面积的受抑制程度分别为46%、33%、35%,相对根体积的受抑制程度分别为47%、32%、29%,相对根直径的受抑制程度分别为29%、21%、22%。②在响应干旱胁迫时,转基因番茄根系蔗糖含量比野生型番茄高20%,根系干物质量比野生型番茄高23%。③在干旱胁迫时,转基因番茄根系质膜H+-ATPase酶活性较高,具有较强的分泌质子的能力,其根系泌酸量比野生型番茄高35%。因此,GRF9能够促进番茄根系蔗糖含量的增加和干物质的累积、增强根系分泌质子的能力,这对于转基因番茄根系...     

过量表达pAPX基因提高水稻对镉胁迫的耐性

研究了编码大麦pAPX的基因HvAPXI导入水稻并过量表达后，转pAPX水稻在镉胁迫下的生长状况、生理指标及镉含量。结果发现，由于pAPX基因的过量表达，转基因植株的根系伸长量、生物量、叶绿素含量以及APX活性都明显高于野生型植株。与野生型植株相比，转基因水稻对镉胁迫具有明显的耐性。伴随对镉胁迫耐性的提高，转pAPX水稻对镉的累积量也同时提高。     

大豆响应低磷胁迫的XTH基因鉴定及XTH38调节根系生长研究

  【目的】  鉴定大豆木葡聚糖内糖基转移酶/水解酶 (xyloglucan endotransglycosylases/hydrolases, XTHs) 基因家族,分析其表达模式和对低磷养分胁迫的响应,初步明确大豆XTH38调节根系生长的功能。  【方法】  供试大豆品种为粤春03-3 (YC03-3),拟南芥野生型为哥伦比亚 (Columbia-0,Col-0) 生态型。通过生物信息学方法,鉴定了大豆XTH基因家族成员,并对大豆的XTH家族成员进行进化分析。采用水培方法,设定高磷对照(HP,KH₂PO₄ 500 μmol/L)和低磷处理(LP,KH₂PO₄ 25 μmol/L)营养液培养,将大豆幼苗处理14天后,取大豆幼苗的根和叶,使用定量PCR分析幼苗中5个GmXTHs的表达;将在1/2 MS固体培养基上发芽2天的超表达GmXTH38株系和Col-0分别接种到HP、LP、低铁 (LFe,Fe 0 μmol/L)、中铁(MFe,Fe 50 μmol/L)和高铁 (HFe,Fe 500 μmol/L)固体培养基上,7天后测定GmXTH38株系的侧根长度和密度。  【结果】  通过生物信息学分析,确定了大豆XTH基因家族共有61个成员,分为3个不同亚组,其中GmXTH38与AtXTH9、AtXTH23位于同一亚组。定量PCR分析结果表明,GmXTH基因家族成员在大豆器官或组织的表达模式不同,其中GmXTH28、GmXTH38、GmXTH41和GmXTH52受LP诱导表达,特别是GmXTH38在大豆根和叶中的表达均受LP诱导。与大豆一致,LP条件下GmXTH38启动子在拟南芥幼苗根、叶的活动强于HP处理。在高磷和中铁(植物正常生长养分需求量)条件下,拟南芥异源超表达GmXTH38抑制拟南芥主根生长、侧根数目和侧根密度。在LP、LFe和HFe胁迫下,与Col-0相比,超表达GmXTH38拟南芥材料主根变短、侧根数和侧根密度减少;超表达GmXTH38导致Col-0侧根形成对LP的敏感性增加;超表达GmXTH38导致Col-0侧根密度在LFe或HFe胁迫条件下下降程度更明显,超表达GmXTH38增加拟南芥主根生长对LFe或HFe的敏感性。  【结论】  大豆基因组存在61个XTH成员,分别为GmXTH1~GmXTH61。GmXTH38在大豆根叶均受LP诱导。超表达GmXTH38 在正常养分条件下抑制拟南芥主根生长和侧根数目;超表达GmXTH38改变拟南芥根系在磷铁养分胁迫条件下的生长。     

Root growth and nutrient element status of creeping bentgrass cultivars differing in heat tolerance as influenced by supraoptimal shoot and root temperatures

This study was designed to determine and compare root growth and nutritional responses of creeping bentgrass cultivars that differ in heat tolerance to differential, supraoptimal, shoot and root temperatures. Shoots and roots of ‘Penncross’ (heat sensitive) and ‘L‐93’ (heat tolerant) were exposed to four air/soil temperature regimes (20/20°C‐control, 20/35°C, 35/20°C, and 35/35°C) in water baths and growth chambers. Exposing roots to supraoptimal root temperature (35°C) while maintaining shoots at normal temperature (20°C) or particularly at 35°C reduced root fresh weight, root number, and contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in shoots and roots and accelerated root death for both cultivars. High root temperature had greater detrimental effects on root growth and nutrient element accumulation than high shoot temperature for both cultivars. A low root temperature at supraoptimal shoot temperature improved root growth, reduced root mortality; and increased N, P, and K contents in shoots and roots. Among the three nutrient elements, K was the most sensitive to changes in root temperature. L‐93 generally maintained higher fresh weight and number of roots and higher N, P, and K contents in shoots and roots, particularly K in roots, under high root (20/35°C) or shoot/root (35/35°C) temperatures. The results indicated that root growth and nutrient element accumulation, particularly of K, played an important role in creeping bentgrass tolerance to heat stress imposed on shoots by high air temperature or to roots by high soil temperatures. The enhanced root growth and nutrient element relations with a low root temperature at supraoptimal ambient temperatures could lead to the improved shoot growth in cool‐season grasses observed under these conditions.     

Influence of extreme K:Na ratios and high substrate salinity on plant metabolism of crops differing in salt tolerance.VII. Relations between carbohydrates and degradative enzymes in salt tolerant and salt sensitive cotton genotypes during initial salinity stress

The effects of salinity on carbohydrates in leaves and roots of different salt tolerant cotton genotypes Glza 45 (salt tolerant) and Dandara (salt sensitive) during the initial salinity stress are investigated. Changes of starch and sucrose in relation to soluble amylases, phosphorylase and invertase in young leaves are studied. The plants are grown in water culture under controlled conditions.

Starch and sucrose accumulation is rapidly stimulated in leaves of Dandara, particularly due to extreme potassium sulfate supply, while in Giza 45 the amount of starch and sucrose declines except for extreme potassium sulfate treatment. The low sucrose value in roots of Dandara increases extremely, especially as a result of potassium chloride treatment. In contrast, the higher sucrose content in roots of Giza 45 is little affected. Amylase activity changes considerably in positive correlation with the starch content, whereas the low specific activity of phosphorylase is little affected. The sucrose content in the leaves is directly controlled by a high level of invertase activity of both cotton varieties.

Possible interactions of carbohydrate metabolism and genotyplcal ion regulation in response to the different salt tolerance of the genotypes are discussed. It is concluded that genotypical differences in the carbohydrate metabolism could be effective mechanisms for salt tolerance in cotton.     

低磷胁迫对不同磷效率基因型烟草苗期生长及生理特征的影响

为揭示不同磷效率烟草对低磷胁迫的响应机理,以磷高效且耐低磷基因型K326和云烟105及磷低效且低磷敏感基因型G28和中烟101为试验材料,设置低磷(0.01 mmol·L^-1,LP)和正常磷(1.00 mmol·L^-1,NP)2个处理,研究不同磷效率基因型烟草苗期主要农艺性状及生理指标对低磷处理的反应。结果表明,磷高效基因型的农艺指标(株高、地上部干重、根系干重等)在2种处理中均显著高于磷低效基因型,表明磷高效基因型在LP和NP水平下均能较好生长,对磷素具有较高的吸收或利用效率;在LP下,磷高效基因型的主根长增幅较大,干重、株高等降幅较小,即磷高效品种的生长受低磷影响较小,耐低磷性较强。在生理指标方面,LP条件下磷高效基因型的3种保护酶[过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)]和酸性磷酸酶(ACP)活性及可溶性糖和游离脯氨酸含量的增幅较磷低效基因型大,丙二醛(MDA)含量的增幅较小,可溶性蛋白含量、根系活力的降幅较小,水培营养液的pH值降幅较大;磷高效基因型的农艺性状及生理指标的耐低磷指数均高于磷低效基因型。综上,在低磷胁迫中,磷高效基因型烟草具有较强的活性氧清除能力,可累积较多渗透调节物质以维持细胞渗透势,较好地保护细胞,增强体内ACP活性,提高对磷素的吸收利用效率,维持自身的正常生长与代谢。本研究结果为烟草磷素高效吸收利用提供了一定的理论依据。     

磷高效型野生大麦根系形态和根系分泌物对低水平植酸态有机磷的响应特征

【目的】 有机磷为土壤磷库的重要组成部分,研究不同磷效率作物对有机磷的利用能力的差异,有助于了解作物高效吸收磷的机理。 【方法】 以磷高效基因型大麦(IS-22-25、IS-22-30)和低效基因型大麦(IS-07-07)为试验材料,植酸钠为有机磷源进行水培试验。设置5个植酸钠浓度(0.1、0.2、0.3、0.4、0.5 mmol/L),使用根系扫描仪分析其根长、根表面积、根体积等形态特征,并测定根系与根系分泌的酸性磷酸酶、植酸酶活性等生理特征。 【结果】 随有机磷浓度降低,磷高效基因型野生大麦总根长、总表面积和总体积呈增加趋势。低有机磷浓度下,磷高效基因型大麦总根长较正常有机磷浓度(0.4 mmol/L)下增加了139.7%~146.0%,直径D＜0.16 mm的根长提高了156.8%~161.5%,且磷高效基因型总根长较低效基因型高8.6%~60.4%。低有机磷浓度下,磷高效基因型根系各参数均显著高于低效基因型。随着有机磷浓度降低,磷高效基因型根总表面积提高了83.5%~117.5%,较低效基因型高14.0%~46.4%;根总体积提高了80.7%~119.3%,较低效基因型高19.6%~150.0%。随着有机磷浓度升高,磷高效基因型根系及其分泌酸性磷酸酶和植酸酶活性显著降低。低有机磷浓度下,磷高效基因型根系酸性磷酸酶和植酸酶活性增加了163.3%~172.2%和98.6%~121.2%,较低效基因型高14.4%~41.2%和23.1%~37.2%;磷高效基因型根系分泌酸性磷酸酶和植酸酶活性增加了157.8%~193.4%和172.4%~183.4%,较低效基因型高20.2%~45.7%和24.7%~51.4%。 【结论】 在低浓度有机磷胁迫下,磷高效基因型通过良好的根系形态,有效扩大了根系对水分和养分的接触空间,为磷高效基因型的快速生长和磷素吸收提供了条件;同时,低浓度有机磷胁迫增强了根系分泌酸性磷酸酶和植酸酶,提高了介质环境中磷素的生物有效性,对有机磷的吸收利用表现出明显优势。     

大麦过氧化物体膜上的抗坏血酸过氧化物酶拟南芥的耐盐机制

Ascorbate peroxidases （APX）, localized in the cytosol, peroxisome, mitochondria, and chloroplasts of plant cells, catalyze the reduction of H2O2 to water by using ascorbic acid as the specific electron donor. To determine the role of peroxisomal type ascorbate peroxidase （pAPX）, an antioxidant enzyme, in protection against salt-induced oxidative stress, transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plant carrying a pAPX gene （HvAPX1） from barley （Hordeum vulgate L.） was analyzed. The transgenic line pAPX3 was found to be more tolerant to salt stress than the wild type. Irrespective of salt stress, there were no significant differences in Na^＋, K^＋, Ca^2＋, and Mg^2＋ contents and the ratio of K^＋ to Na^＋ between pAPX3 and the wild type. Clearly, the salt tolerance in pAPX3 was not due to the maintenance and reestablishment of cellular ion homeostasis. However, the degree of H2O2 and lipid peroxidation （measured as the levels of malondialdehyde） accumulation under salt stress was higher in the wild type than in pAPX3. The mechanism of salt tolerance in transgenic pAPX3 can thus be explained by reduction of oxidative stress injury. Under all conditions tested, activities of superoxide, glutathione reductase, and catalase were not significantly different between pAPX3 and the wild type. In contrast, the activity of APX was significantly higher in the transgenic plant than in wild type under salt stress. These results suggested that in higher plants, HvAPX1 played an important role in salt tolerance and was a candidate gene for developing salttolerant crop plants.     

植物耐铝机理研究进展

铝毒是酸性土壤上作物生产的主要限制因子,植物耐铝机理以及与耐铝有关基因的研究是近十多年来研究的热点。本文对植物耐铝的生理、遗传及分子机理的研究进展作了综述。明确了目前取得的突破性进展已使通过植物遗传育种及生物技术手段提高粮食作物耐铝性成为可能;同时,本文对今后的研究方向作了简要的讨论。     

Changes in total protein profiles of barley cultivars in response to toxic boron concentration

In this study, ten‐day‐old seedlings of barley {Hordeum vulgare L. cultivar Anadolu [boron (B)‐tolerant] and Hamidiye (B‐sensitive)} were used. Boron‐treated plants were grown on H₃BO₃ solution (final concentration of 10 mM) for five days. Control plants received no B treatment during this period. Total protein patterns were obtained by analysis of total protein extract from root and leaf tissues of control and B‐treated plants using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by silver staining. The protein profile of B‐treated seedlings of each cultivar was compared to the profile of control (no stress treatment) plants of the same cultivar. Silver‐stained gels showed that B stress caused increases or decreases in a number of proteins in root and leaf tissues. Moreover, as a result of B treatment, one newly synthesized protein with relative molecular weight (M_r) of 35.0 kDa was detected in root profile of the tolerant cultivar. This protein failed to show up in root profile of the B‐treated sensitive cultivar. Three proteins were quantitatively increased in B‐treated root profile of both cultivars. Following B treatment, three proteins were increased in root profile of the tolerant cultivar, but were not changed in the sensitive one. In leaf tissues, however, there were remarkable changes in total protein profiles after B treatment, relative to the control. Following B treatment, in leaf tissues, at least seven proteins were increased in amount in tolerant cultivar but were unchanged in the susceptible one. In tolerant and sensitive cultivars, amounts of two proteins were increased in B‐treated plants, relative to control seedlings. In addition, four proteins (M_r:29, 58, 58, and 22 kDa) were unchanged in control and B‐treated seedlings of the tolerant cultivar. In the susceptible cultivar however, among these four proteins, the first one (M_r:29) was very much reduced and the others (M_r: 58, 58, and 22 kDa) were completely lost in B‐treated seedlings. Moreover, following B treatment, a set of high‐molecular‐weight proteins was quantitatively decreased in the susceptible cultivar but was unchanged in the tolerant cultivar. These results indicate that in barley, certain proteins may be involved in tolerance to B toxicity. In this study, changes in polypeptide composition as a result of B toxic concentration in leaf tissues were more abundant than in roots. Therefore, it is suggested that these changes, especially at shoot level may form the basis of the tolerance mechanism to B toxicity.     

Phosphorus Stress Induced Variations in Growth Behavior and P Efficiency among Brassica Cultivars Grown with Sparingly Soluble P Sources

To evaluate phosphorus (P)–stress–induced relative growth responses, P-efficiency characteristics, P remobilization, and redesign in root architectural systems, Brassica cultivars were grown with sparingly soluble rock phosphate and calcium phosphate [Ca₃(PO₄)₂] or with low/high P supply in solution and sand culture experiments. Tested cultivars showed considerable genetic diversity in biomass accumulation, concentration and contents of P, P-stress factor (PSF), and P-efficiency characteristics [P-utilization efficiency (PUE), P efficiency (PE), and P-efficiency ratio (PER)]. Statistically significant correlations were observed between P efficiency and growth parameters. Elongation rates of primary roots decreased but the length of lateral roots and branched zone elongation rates increased under P starvation. Cultivars remobilized P from metabolically inactive to active sites in P-stressed plants that may have helped low-P-tolerant cultivars to establish a better rooting system, which provided basis for enhanced P-use efficiency and tolerance against P stress. Cultivars depicting high P efficiency and low PSF values were more tolerant and are a better choice to grow under P-stress environments.     

Solute adjustment to salinity and calcium supply in cultivated and wild barley

Ion relations, water content, leaf water potential, and osmotic adjustment were determined for cultivated barley (cv Harrington) and wild barley grown under mixed sulphate (SO₄) salts with varied calcium (Ca) supply using a hydroponic system. Salinity induced significant increases of leaf, stem and root sodium (Na) concentrations in both species. Salt‐stressed wild barley roots accumulated more Na than shoots, and transport of Na from roots to shoots was low compared to Harrington. Cultivated barley had lower Ca concentrations than wild barley, especially in the low Ca salt treatment. Although potassium (K/Na) and Ca/Na ratios were higher in control wild barley plants than in Harrington, they declined under salt stress, irrespective of Ca supply. Major osmotica in wild barley leaves were K, sugars, organic acids, and quaternary ammonium compounds, while in Harrington they were cations, including Na, K and Mg, and anions such as phosphate (PO₄) and SO₄. Wild barley maintained better water status than Harrington under low Ca salt treatment. Supplemental Ca improved water status more in Harrington than in wild barley. Lack of osmotic adjustment to salinity in wild barley apparently resulted from its ion exclusion. Low Ca salt treatment caused Ca deficiency, Na toxicity, and loss of turgor in Harrington. In the high Ca salt treatment, Harrington had improved water and ion relations, as well as positive turgor.     

Citrate Secretion Induced by Aluminum Stress May Not be a Key Mechanism Responsible for Differential Aluminum Tolerance of Some Soybean Genotypes

Abstract

Eighteen soybean genotypes differing in aluminum (Al) tolerance were used to investigate genotypic differences in Al-induced citrate exudation and its role in Al tolerance. Aluminum accumulation and localization in soybean roots were examined by analysis of total Al and hematoxylin staining. Soybean genotypes exhibited a wide range of Al tolerance. Based on relative root elongation, several Al-tolerant genotypes from Brazil such as B1, B10, and B15 were more tolerant than the Al-tolerant PI 416937 (PI) and Perry. All soybeans exuded citrate in response to Al stress, and some Al-sensitive genotypes secreted more citrate than tolerant ones, showing no correlation between the Al tolerance and Al-induced citrate exudation. Further study found that both copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) stimulated citrate and malate exudation in soybean, indicating that organic acid secretion is not specifically induced by Al. Aluminum concentrations were significantly higher in 2–3 and 3–4 cm of segments than that in 0–1 and 1–2 cm segments under 15 μM AlCl₃. Both the root mature zone and apex were heavily stained by hematoxylin after exposure to 10, 15, or 20 μM AlCl₃ (24 h), whereas root elongation zone was not stained. After exposure to 50 μM AlCl₃ for 20 min, the Al-tolerant PI was less stained by hematoxylin than the Al-sensitive Young, suggesting that Al accumulation in root apices seem to be an immediate response to Al stress, and related to differential Al sensitivity. Present results suggest that citrate secretion induced by Al stress may not be a key mechanism responsible for the differential Al tolerance of some soybean genotypes and other mechanism(s) conferring Al exclusion should exist and operate immediately after exposure to Al stress.     

Organic acid excretion from roots: a plant mechanism for enhancing phosphorus acquisition,enhancing aluminum tolerance,and recruiting beneficial rhizobacteria

The beneficial effects of organic acids (OAs) excretion from plant roots were first proposed as being associated with the mechanism of superior phosphorus utilization by the cluster roots of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.), and these effects are now widely accepted as pleiotropic effects associated with stress tolerance of plants. Excreted OAs detoxify rhizotoxic aluminum, recruit beneficial bacterium for induced systemic resistance, and modify root architecture to enhance phosphorus starvation. OA excretion is probably optimized in the carbon economy and is coordinately regulated with other traits that additively confer each stress factor. Here we present an overview of the molecular physiology of OA excretion from roots, how plants activate OA excretion, and how this excretion can be managed as a specific response.     

Improving salt stress responses of the symbiosis in alfalfa using salt-tolerant cultivar and rhizobial strain

Salt stress can affect alfalfa growth directly by adversely affecting metabolism, or indirectly by its effect on Rhizobium capacity for symbiotic N₂ fixation. Growth and carbohydrate metabolism in leaves, roots and nodules of two alfalfa cultivars (Medicago sativa cv Apica and salt-tolerant cv Halo) in association with two rhizobial strains (A2 and salt-tolerant Rm1521) exposed to different levels of NaCl (0, 20, 40, 80 or 160 mM NaCl) were assessed under controlled conditions. For both cultivars, shoot and root biomasses and shoot to root ratio significantly declined with increasing NaCl concentrations. Under 80 mM NaCl, Halo plants yielded 20% more fresh shoot biomass than Apica while plants inoculated with Rm1521 allocated more biomass to the roots than to the shoots compared to A2. Halo plants maintained a steady shoot water content (about 80%) under the entire range of NaCl concentrations. Shoot water content was more variable in Apica. Apica in association with salt-tolerant strain Rm1521 maintained a better water status than with strain A2, as indicated by the higher shoot water content at 80 mM NaCl. Under salt stress, two major compatible sugars involved in plant osmoregulation, sucrose and pinitol, increased in leaves while a large accumulation of starch was observed in roots. In nodules, pinitol, sucrose and starch increased under salt stress and were much more abundant with strain Rm1521 than with A2. This suggests that there could be an active transport from the shoot to the nodules to help maintain nodule activity under NaCl stress and that strain Rm1521 increases the sink strength toward nodules. Our results show that combining cultivars and rhizobial strains with superior salt tolerance is an effective strategy to improve alfalfa productivity in salinity affected areas.     

Differences in phytase activity and phytic acid content between cultivated and Tibetan annual wild barleys

The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in China is considered to be one of the original centers of cultivated barley. At present, little is known about the phytase activity (Phy) or phytic acid content (PA) in grains of Tibetan annual wild barley. Phy and PA were determined in grains of 135 wild and 72 cultivated barleys. Phy ranged from 171.3 to 1299.2 U kg(-1) and from 219.9 to 998.2 U kg(-1) for wild and cultivated barleys, respectively. PA and protein contents were much higher in wild barley than in cultivated barley. Tibetan annual wild barley showed a larger genetic diversity in phytase activity and phytic acid and protein contents and is of value for barley breeding. There is no significant correlation between phytase activity and phytic acid or protein content in barley grains, indicating that endogenous phytase activity had little effect on the accumulation of phytic acid.