Evaluation of Salt Tolerance and Its Relationship with Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Physiological Parameters of Barley Genotypes

Soil management through the cultivation of salt-tolerant plants is a practical approach to combat soil salinization. In this study, salt tolerance of 35 barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes was tested at four salinity levels (0, 100, 200, and 300 mM NaCl in Hoagland nutrient solution) at two growth stages (germination and vegetative). The relationship between salinity tolerance and carbon isotope discrimination (CID) was also accessed. Results of the study carried out under laboratory conditions showed that a negative linear relationship was observed between salt concentration and germination as well as other growth parameters. Some genotypes showed good salt tolerance at germination but failed to survive at seedling stage. However, five genotypes, namely, Jau-83, Pk-30109, Pk-30118, 57/2D, and Akermanns Bavaria showed better tolerance to salinity (200 mM) both at germination and at vegetative growth stage. The salt tolerance of these barley genotypes was significantly correlated with minimum decrease in K⁺:Na⁺ ratio in plant tissue with increase in the root zone salinity. However, the case was reversed in sensitive genotypes. CID was decreased linearly with increase in root zone salinity. However, salt-tolerant genotypes maintained their turgor by osmotic adjustment and by minimum increase in diffusive resistance and showed minimum reduction in CID (Δ) with gradual increase in rooting medium salt concentration. Results suggested that the tolerant genotypes make osmotic adjustments by selective uptake of K⁺ and by maintaining a higher K⁺:Na⁺ ratio in leaves. Moreover, CID technique can also be good criteria for screening of salt-tolerant germplasm.     

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.     

Response of plant yield and leaf pigments to saline conditions: Effectiveness of different rootstocks in melon plants (Cucumis melo L.)

Two varieties of Cucumis melo (Resisto and Arava) were grafted onto three hybrids of Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata cultivars (Shintoza, RS-841 and Kamel). Ungrafted Cucumis melo var. Resisto and var. Arava plants were used as controls. Plants were grown under controlled greenhouse conditions and were constantly fertilized with macro- and micronutrients, supplied with irrigation water rich in Na⁺ and Cl^- Contents of chlorophylls a and b, carotene pigments, Cl^- and total and soluble Na⁺ and K⁺ ions were measured in all the scion parts of the plants. The results showed that grafted plants exhibited differences in the leaf content of Na+ and especially Cl^- in comparison with ungrafted plants. In addition, yield as well as leaf pigments appeared to be good indicators of Cl^- levels in scion parts. It is assumed that grafted plants developed various mechanisms to avoid physiological damage caused by the excessive accumulation of these ions in leaf, including the exclusion of Cl^- ion and/or decrease in Cl^- absorption by the roots and the replacement or substitution of total K⁺ by total Na⁺ in the foliar parts.     

Negative correlation between the ratio of K+ to Na+ and proline accumulation in tobacco suspension cells

Abstract

The concentrations of K⁺, Na⁺, and proline and the ratio of K⁺ to Na⁺ (K⁺ / Na⁺) were analyzed in NaCl-unadapted and NaCl-adapted tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cells in suspension culture. At 3 to 5 d after inoculation, the NaCl-unadapted cells cultured in 100 mmol L^?1 NaCl saline culture medium (Na100 medium) accumulated 28.7 mmol L^?1 proline with a low ratio of K⁺ to Na⁺ (= 2.8) and the NaCl-adapted cells cultured in the Na100 medium contained 6.28 mmol L^?1 proline with a high K⁺ / Na⁺ ratio (≧ 7.5). The contents of amino acids for the NaCl-adapted cells in the Na100 medium were similar to those for the NaCl-unadapted cells in a modified LS medium (standard medium). At 14 d after inoculation, the NaCl-unadapted cells in the Na100 medium contained 4.77 mmol L^?1 proline and restored the K⁺ / Na⁺ ratio from 2.8 to 6.2. These results indicate the presence of a negative correlation between the K⁺ / Na⁺ ratio and proline accumulation and suggest that a balance between the K⁺ / Na⁺ ratio and proline accumulation may be the factor involved in determining the salt tolerance of plant cells.     

A Correlation of Rapid Cardy Meter Sap Test and ICP Spectrometry of Dry Tissue for Measuring Potassium (K+) Concentrations in Pak Choi (Brassica Rapa Chinensis Group)

Nutritional status of vegetable crops is often monitored by analysis of dried plant tissues, which is costly and often time consuming. Two greenhouse trials were conducted, at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Magoon facilities, to evaluate the portable cardy ion meter (CIM) in determining potassium (K⁺) status in fresh petiole sap of pak choi as compared with standard laboratory methods. In the first greenhouse trial, three algae species (Gracilaria salicornia, Kappaphycus alvarezii, and Eucheuma denticulatum) were used to apply five rates of K⁺ (0, 84, 168,252, and 336 kg.ha^?1). The pak choi was directly seeded into 4 L pots and was grown in peat moss. In the second greenhouse trial, K+ was provided through Eucheuma denticulatum and potassium nitrate (KNO₃) at five rates (0,112, 168, 224, 280, and 336 kg.ha^?1) in peat moss and soil media. At harvest, K⁺ concentrations in fresh petiole sap were analyzed immediately with CIM and the dried samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP) measurement. The results showed increase in leaf K+ content at higher rates and the maximum concentration of leaf K⁺ at 4500–5300 mg/L for sap and 8–9% for tissue was obtained when K⁺ was provided between 224 and 284 kg.ha^?1. There was a close correlation between the CIM readings and the ICP method (r = 0.8048 and 0.8314) from the first and second GH results, respectively. The results suggest that the CIM could be used for the rapid monitoring of the relative K⁺ status of plants. The data further suggested 4500–5000 mg K/L for fresh petiole sap and 7.5% K⁺ in tissue as critical levels for K⁺ concentration in pak choi.