盐胁迫条件下外源Ca2+对蚕豆气孔运动及质膜K+通道的调控

研究了Ca²⁺ 对NaCl胁迫下蚕豆气孔运动及质膜K+通道的影响。结果表明,100 mmol L^-1 NaCl可明显诱导气孔开放,该现象可被10 mmol L^-1 CaCl₂ 显著抑制。为探讨盐胁迫下Ca²⁺对K⁺和Na⁺跨膜运输的调控机制,我们利用膜片钳技术记录全细胞K⁺ 电流发现,在100 mmol L^-1 NaCl胁迫下,加入10 mmol L^-1 CaCl₂胞外处理,显著抑制质膜K+内向及外向通道电流,这种抑制可被1 mmol L^-1 La³⁺ (Ca²⁺通道抑制剂)缓解。非盐胁迫下,10 mmol L^-1 CaCl₂ 胞外处理也能显著抑制质膜内向K⁺通道,但明显激活其外向通道,加入1 mmol L^-1 La³⁺并不能被缓解。用H₂O₂专一的荧光探针二氯荧光素二乙酸酯(H2DCF-DA)单细胞分析保卫细胞内H₂O₂含量变化显示,在100 mmol L^-1 NaCl盐胁迫下,10 mmol L^-1 CaCl₂ 处理明显诱导H₂O₂在保卫细胞中积累;100 mmol L^-1 NaCl和10 mmol L^-1 CaCl₂单独处理并不能诱导H₂O₂积累。推测Ca²⁺在盐胁迫下可能先诱导H₂O₂在胞内积累,进而激活质膜Ca²⁺通道,迅速提高胞内Ca²⁺浓度以抑制Na⁺通过质膜K⁺通道跨膜内流,同时调节Na⁺外流,两种效应共同作用促使气孔关闭,减少盐胁迫下水分的过度散失。上述结果将为Ca²⁺调控作物抗盐机制研究提供新的思路。     

基于SNP遗传图谱定位盐、旱胁迫下甘蓝型油菜种子发芽率的QTL

研究盐胁迫、干旱胁迫下甘蓝型油菜的发芽率,寻找与发芽率相关联的分子标记,可为油菜逆境胁迫下种子萌发的分子标记辅助育种提供理论依据。本研究以甘蓝型黄籽油菜GH06和甘蓝型黑籽油菜P174为亲本,通过单粒传法(single seed descent, SSD)连续自交9代构建重组自交系群体。采用16 g L^–1的NaCl溶液进行盐胁迫,20% (W/W)的PEG-6000溶液模拟干旱胁迫,处理重组自交系种子并统计其发芽率。实验室构建的SNP遗传图谱,包含2795个SNP多态性标记位点,总长1832.9 cM,相邻标记间平均距离为0.66 cM,利用该图谱并采用复合区间作图法(CIM)分析两种胁迫条件下第3天、第4天及累计4 d后发芽率的QTL。共检测到19个QTL,分布于A01、A03、A06、A07、A09和C06染色体上。其中,11个盐胁迫相关的QTL可解释的变异为4.9%~10.9%,8个干旱胁迫相关的QTL可解释的变异为3.8%~6.9%;并且在A03和A09染色体上,盐胁迫和干旱胁迫下检测到的QTL有相近区段。研究结果表明油菜种子发芽率属于典型的数量性状,受环境影响较大;且随着胁迫时间的延长,油菜种子启动了不同的基因来响应环境胁迫。     

Genetic variation in root development responses to salt stresses of quinoa

Soil salinity has become a serious environmental abiotic stress limiting crop productivity and quality. The root system is the first organ sensing the changes in salinity. Root development under elevated salinity is therefore an important indicator for saline tolerance in plants. Previous studies focused on varietal differences in morphological traits of quinoa under saline stresses; however, variation in root development responses to salinity remains largely unknown. To understand the genetic variation in root development responses to salt stress of quinoa, we conducted a preliminary screening for salinity response at two salinity levels of a diverse set of 52 quinoa genotypes and microsatellite markers were used to link molecular variation to that in root development responses to salt stresses of represented genotypes. The frequency distribution of saline tolerance index showed continuous variation in the quinoa collection. Cluster analysis of salinity responses divided the 52 quinoa genotypes into six major groups. Based on these results, six genotypes representative of groups I to VI including Black quinoa, 2-Want, Atlas, Riobamba, NL-6 and Sayaña, respectively, were selected to evaluate root development under four saline stress levels: 0, 100, 200 and 300 mM NaCl. Contrasts in root development responses to saline stress levels were observed in the six genotypes. At 100 mM NaCl, significant differences were not observed in root length development (RLD) and root surface development (RSAD) of most genotypes except Black quinoa; a significant reduction was observed in this genotype as compared to controls. At 200 mM NaCl, significant reduction was detected in RLD and RSAD in all genotypes showing this as the best concentration to discriminate among genotypes. The strongest inhibition of root development was found for all genotypes at 300 mM NaCl as compared to lower saline levels. Among genotypes, Atlas of group III shows as a saline-tolerant genotype confirming previous reports. Variation in root responses to salinity stresses is also discussed in relation to climate conditions of origins of the genotypes and reveal interesting guidelines for further studies exploring the mechanisms behind this aspect of saline adaptation.     

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.     

Role of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae in the Alleviation of Ionic, Osmotic and Oxidative Stresses Induced by Salinity in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea)

Salinity stress causes ion toxicity and osmotic imbalances, leading to oxidative stress in plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) are considered bio‐ameliorators of saline soils and could develop salinity tolerance in crop plants. Pigeonpea exhibits strong mycorrhizal development and has a high mycorrhizal dependency. The role of AM in enhancing salt tolerance of pigeonpea in terms of shoot and root dry weights, phosphorus and nitrogen contents, K⁺ : Na⁺, Ca²⁺ : Na⁺ ratios, lipid peroxidation, compatible solutes (proline and glycine betaine) and antioxidant enzyme activities was examined. Plants were grown and maintained at three levels of salt (4, 6 and 8 dSm^?1). Stress impeded the growth of plants, led to weight gain reductions in shoots as well as roots and hindered phosphorus and nitrogen uptake. However, salt‐stressed mycorrhizal plants produced greater root and shoot biomass, had higher phosphorus and nitrogen content than the corresponding uninoculated stressed plants. Salt stress resulted in higher lipid peroxidation and membrane stability was reduced in non‐AM plants. The presence of fungal endophyte significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and membrane damage caused by salt stress. AM plants maintained higher K⁺ : Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ : Na⁺ ratios than non‐AM plants under stressed and unstressed conditions. Salinity induced the accumulation of both proline and glycine betaine in AM and non‐AM plants. The quantum of increase in synthesis and accumulation of osmolytes was higher in mycorrhizal plants. Antioxidant enzyme activities increased significantly with salinity in both mycorrhizal and non‐mycorrhizal plants. In conclusion, pigeonpea plants responded to an increased ion influx in their cells by increasing the osmolyte synthesis and accumulation under salt stress, which further increased with AM inoculation and helped in maintaining the osmotic balance. Increase in the antioxidant enzyme activities in AM plants under salt stress could be involved in the beneficial effects of mycorrhizal colonization.     

干旱胁迫下一氧化氮对小麦离体根尖离子吸收的影响

为阐明干旱胁迫下一氧化氮(NO)对植物的保护机制,利用干旱敏感性不同的3个小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)品种的离体根尖,比较了NO对干旱胁迫的响应及其对离子吸收的影响。在干旱胁迫下, 耐旱品种陇春8139根尖中大量产生NO, K⁺和Ca²⁺被大量吸收, 而Cl^-1被排出体外, 质膜H⁺-ATPase活性升高; 而干旱敏感品种甘麦8和定西24的根尖中NO、离子含量和质膜H⁺-ATPase活性的变化呈相反趋势。NO供体硝普纳(SNP)处理使3个品种根尖中的K⁺和Ca²⁺含量增加,Cl^-1含量下降,并能提高质膜H⁺-ATPase活力;NOS抑制剂N^ω-nitro-L-arginine(LNNA)和NO清除剂2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl- 3-oxide(PTIO)能够逆转这一效果。Na⁺含量在所有处理下都没有明显变化。试验结果证明,NO能够通过调节质膜H⁺-ATPase活力影响植物对离子的选择吸收,从而提高耐旱性。     

Salt Tolerance is Associated with Differences in Ion Accumulation,Biomass Allocation and Photosynthesis in Cowpea Cultivars

Cowpea is widely cultivated in arid and semi‐arid regions of the world where salinity is a major environmental stress that limits crop productivity. The effects of moderate salinity on growth and photosynthesis were examined during the vegetative phase of two cowpea cultivars previously classified as salt‐tolerant (Pitiúba) and salt‐sensitive (TVu). Two salt treatments (0 and 75 mm NaCl) were applied to 10‐day‐old plants grown in nutrient solution for 24 days. Salt stress caused decreases (59 % in Pitiúba and 72 % in TVu) in biomass accumulation at the end of the experiment. Photosynthetic rates per unit leaf mass, but not per unit leaf area, were remarkably impaired, particularly in TVu. This response was unlikely to have resulted from stomatal or photochemical constraints. Differences in salt tolerance between cultivars were unrelated to (i) variant patterns of Cl^? and K⁺ tissue concentration, (ii) contrasting leaf water relations, or (iii) changes in relative growth rate and net assimilation rate. The relative advantage of Pitiúba over TVu under salt stress was primarily associated with (i) restricted Na⁺ accumulation in leaves paralleling an absolute increase in Na⁺ concentration in roots at early stages of salt treatment and (ii) improved leaf area (resulting from a larger leaf area ratio coupled with a larger leaf mass fraction and larger specific leaf area) and photosynthetic rates per unit leaf mass. Overall, these responses would allow greater whole‐plant carbon gain, thus contributing to a better agronomic performance of salt‐tolerant cowpea cultivars in salinity‐prone regions.     

干旱胁迫下一氧化氮对小麦离体根尖离子吸收的影响

为阐明干旱胁迫下一氧化氮(NO)对植物的保护机制,利用干旱敏感性不同的3个小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)品种的离体根尖,比较了NO对干旱胁迫的响应及其对离子吸收的影响。在干旱胁迫下, 耐旱品种陇春8139根尖中大量产生NO, K⁺和Ca²⁺被大量吸收, 而Cl^-1被排出体外, 质膜H⁺-ATPase活性升高; 而干旱敏感品种甘麦8和定西24的根尖中NO、离子含量和质膜H⁺-ATPase活性的变化呈相反趋势。NO供体硝普纳(SNP)处理使3个品种根尖中的K⁺和Ca²⁺含量增加,Cl^-1含量下降,并能提高质膜H⁺-ATPase活力;NOS抑制剂N^ω-nitro-L-arginine(LNNA)和NO清除剂2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl- 3-oxide(PTIO)能够逆转这一效果。Na⁺含量在所有处理下都没有明显变化。试验结果证明,NO能够通过调节质膜H⁺-ATPase活力影响植物对离子的选择吸收,从而提高耐旱性。     

Improved Salinity Tolerance by Phosphorus Fertilizer in Two Phaseolus vulgaris Recombinant Inbred Lines Contrasting in Their P‐Efficiency

Legumes' sensitivity to salt is exacerbated under growth conditions requiring nitrogen fixation by the plant. Phosphorus (P) deficiency is widespread in legumes, especially common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L). To examine the performance of P. vulgaris under salt stress conditions, a field experiment was conducted using two recombinants inbred lines (RILs) 115 (P‐deficiency tolerant) and 147 (P‐deficiency susceptible), grown under different salinity levels (L) (1.56, 4.78, and 8.83 dS m^?1 as LI, L2, and L3, respectively) and supplied with four P rates (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg ha^?1 P as P0, P30, P60, and P90, respectively) in order to assess the impact of P on salt tolerance. Results indicate that growing both RILs at P60 or P90 under all salinity levels (especially L1) significantly increased total chlorophyll, carotenoids, total soluble sugars, total free amino acids, and proline. Increasing P supply up to P60 under all salinity levels significantly induced higher accumulation of P, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ leaves in both RILs. Based on quadratic response over all locations, the maximum seed yield of 1.465 t ha^?1 could be obtained at application of P 81.0 kg ha‐1 in RIL115, while seed yield of 1.275 t ha^?1 could be obtained with P rate of 78.3 kg ha^?1 in RIL147. RIL115 exhibited more salt‐tolerance with positive consequence on plant biomass and grain yield stability. Improved salt tolerance through adequate P fertilization is likely a promising strategy to improve P. vulgaris salinity tolerance and thus productivity, a response that seems to be P‐rate dependent.     

Nitrogen Assimilation and Growth of Cotton Seedlings under NaCl Salinity and in Response to Urea Application with NBPT and DCD

Salinity stress and inefficient nitrogen fertilization adversely affect cotton growth and yield. The effect of salinity on the growth and stress response of cotton seedlings and the effect on N‐use efficiency from the use of the inhibitors of urease (NBPT) and nitrification (DCD) under salinity stress were studied in growth chambers. The study consisted of three levels of salinity – low (0.45 dS m^?1), moderate (8 dS m^?1) and high (16 dS m^?1) – and five N treatments – unfertilized control, 100 % N rate with urea, 80 % N rate with urea, 80 % N rate with urea +NBPT and 80 % N rate with urea +NBPT + DCD. The results indicated that salinity stress reduced plant growth (low leaf area and plant dry matter), decreased N assimilation (low NR, GS and protein), increased plant stress response (high GR and SOD), and decreased leaf chlorophyll, stomatal conductance and quantum yield. Addition of NBPT to urea improved N uptake by 22 % under low salinity; however, this effect was not observed with increasing salinity. No benefit of addition of DCD was observed in any of the parameters collected. In conclusion, salinity stress hindered the performance of the additive NBPT and negatively affected the growth and physiology of cotton.     

Effects of Deficit Irrigation and Salinity Stress on Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) and Mungbean (Vigna Radiata (L.) Wilczek) Grown in a Controlled Environment

As water for irrigation purposes becomes increasingly scarce because of climate change and population growth, there is growing interest in regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) as a way to improve efficiency of water usage and farm productivity in arid and semi‐arid areas. Salinity is also becoming an important problem in these same regions. Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of RDI and salt stress on two legumes crops, common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek); previous work showed contrasting responses to RDI by these two crops under field conditions. The seed and biomass yields of both crops were reduced as a result of increasing water deficit stress; however, mungbean was able to maintain the same proportion of its biomass in reproductive structures and maintain its harvest index under stress, whereas common bean’s decreased. In addition, photosynthesis in mungbean was higher than in common bean and higher at the same levels of transpiration. Finally, salinity stress did not affect the water potential, harvest index or the specific leaf weight of either crop. There were no interactions between salinity and crops or RDI levels, which suggest that the two crops do not differ in their response to salinity stress, and that RDI levels do not modify this response.     

Multi-trait stability index: A tool for simultaneous selection of soya bean genotypes in drought and saline stress

Drought and salinity are the main limiting environmental factors that restrict the establishment of soya bean plants. In order to recommend genotypes for cultivation under adverse drought and saline stress conditions, multi-environment trials (MET) are needed. However, MET analysis is usually performed considering a single trait, which provides lower reliability in recommending genotypes when compared to multi-trait analysis. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate the stability of multi-trait stability index (MTSI) in 46 soya bean cultivars under the effects of drought and saline stress on seed germination and initial seedling growth. Drought and saline stresses were imposed by seed exposure to −0.20 MPa iso-osmotic solutions with polyethylene glycol—PEG 6000 (119.6 g/L) or NaCl (2.36 g/L) for 12 days at 25°C. The germination rate, seedling length and seedling dry matter were measured. We showed here how genotypic stability can be quantified by MTSI when comparing drought and salinity conditions in relation to non-stressful environment (control) and how this index can be employed under different conditions. When considering the index for multiple environments, we can select as the most stable genotypes TMG 716 RR, FPS Antares RR, AS 3610 IPRO, NS 7300 IPRO and FPS Solar IPRO among the 46 tested genotypes. Owing to high stability and gains with selection verified for these genotypes under salinity and drought conditions, they can be used as genitors in breeding programs aimed at obtaining offspring with higher resistance to antibiotic stresses.     

水涝胁迫对不同土壤盐碱度下甜菜幼苗生长及光合特性的影响

为探究水涝胁迫对不同土壤盐碱度下甜菜幼苗生长的影响,验证甜菜在水涝逆境中的生长规律,评估水涝胁迫对盐碱地甜菜种植的影响,以甜菜‘SV1433’为供试品种,以微酸性黑土为基础利用NaCl、Na₂SO₄、Na₂CO₃、NaOH调节土壤盐碱度,采用室内土培法,设置微酸土、盐渍土、盐碱土3个土壤盐碱梯度下对照及水涝胁迫共6组处理。结果发现,播种9天后出苗结束,微酸土中甜菜出苗较快,优于盐渍土及盐碱土;播种26天后收苗,在微酸土、盐渍土、盐碱土3种土壤盐碱度下,水涝胁迫比对照植株鲜重分别降低40.7%、26.9%、25.2%,干重分别降低41.1%、29.9%、24.8%,株高分别下降20.4%、19.1%、16.3%,表明随土壤盐碱度升高水涝胁迫对甜菜幼苗鲜重、干重、株高影响逐渐降低;水涝胁迫下幼苗根面积及叶面积显著降低,植株叶长显著下降,叶片净光合速率、蒸腾速率、叶片气孔导度显著降低,表现出水涝胁迫下盐碱土中甜菜幼苗生长较好,优于盐渍土及微酸土。     

Effects of Soil Salinity and Plant Density on Yield and Leaf Senescence of Field‐Grown Cotton

The response of cotton to constant salinity has been well documented under controlled conditions, but its response to changing salinity under field conditions is poorly understood. Using a split‐plot design, we conducted a 2‐year field experiment to determine the effects of soil salinity and plant density on plant biomass, boll load, harvest index and leaf senescence in relation to cotton yield in three fields with similar fertility but varying salinity. The main plots were assigned to weak (electrical conductivity of soil saturated paste extract, ECe = 5.5 dS m^?1), moderate (ECe = 10.1 dS m^?1) and strong (ECe = 15.0 dS m^?1) soil salinity levels, while plant density (3.0, 4.5 and 7.5 plants m^?2) was assigned to the subplots. Soil salinity had a negative effect on seedcotton yield, but the negative effect was compensated for by increased plant density under strong‐salinity conditions. Seedcotton yield under weak salinity changed little with varying plant density, but the medium plant density yielded better than the low or high plant density under moderate salinity. Plants accumulated 49 and 112 % more Na⁺ in leaves under moderate and strong salinity than under weak salinity. Strong salinity also led to higher boll load and early leaf senescence. Plant density had no effect on Na⁺ accumulation in leaves, but greatly reduced boll load and delayed leaf senescence. Plant biomass, maximum leaf area index and harvest index were greatly affected by salinity, plant density and their interaction. Accelerated leaf senescence under strong salinity was attributed to the high boll load and increased accumulation of toxic ions like Na⁺ in leaves, while delayed leaf senescence with increased plant density was attributed to the reduced boll load. Optimal yield can only be obtained with proper coordination of total biomass and harvest index by modification of plant density based on salinity levels.     

茶树CsbZIP4转录因子正调控拟南芥对盐胁迫响应

bZIP转录因子是真核生物中一类多功能蛋白家族,参与种子成熟、光信号调节、胁迫响应等多种生物学过程,拟南芥中根据序列相似性和保守域主要分为10个亚家族(A-I和S)。本文以茶树的C亚家族转录因子CsbZIP4为研究对象,调查非生物胁迫下的表达模式,及转化拟南芥后CsbZIP4过表达对耐盐性的影响。结果显示,在4℃低温、外源ABA、盐和干旱胁迫处理后,CsbZIP4的表达在茶树叶片中呈上调模式,特别是在盐和干旱胁迫下其表达分别上调2.9倍和2.2倍;而在根中,低温、盐和干旱胁迫均能显著抑制CsbZIP4的表达,其中盐胁迫能将其表达抑制2倍;荧光显微镜下观察CsbZIP4-GFP融合蛋白,将CsbZIP4定位于细胞核中;CsbZIP4的过表达能够降低转基因株系种子萌发时对外源ABA、盐胁迫的敏感性,在300mmolL~(-1)NaCl盐胁迫下,转化拟南芥植株过表达CsbZIP4增强抗性,其叶片的SPAD值较高,同时过表达株系中盐胁迫响应基因AtSOS1的表达显著增强。根据CsbZIP4正调控拟南芥的盐胁迫响应,推断CsbZIP4与茶树抵御盐胁迫密切相关。     

施氮肥对盐胁迫下Bt棉生长和叶片Bt蛋白含量的影响

 以Bt棉品系K638为材料,在盆栽条件下研究了施氮肥对不同程度盐胁迫（土壤含盐量：0(CK)、0.15%(轻度胁迫)和0.3%（中度胁迫））下棉株生长、氮素吸收、Bt蛋白含量和Bt蛋白氮占全氮量比例的影响;同时,在水培条件下研究了不同形态氮素（硝态氮和铵态氮）对NaCl胁迫下Bt蛋白含量的效应。结果表明,氮肥与盐胁迫对棉叶Bt蛋白含量有显著的互作效应。非盐和低盐胁迫下,施氮肥促进了棉株生长（生物量分别提高了3.0和2.8倍）、Bt蛋白合成（分别提高41.0%和90.9%）和全N向Bt蛋白N的转化（分别提高9.3%和15.6%）;中度盐胁迫下,施氮肥虽也促进了棉株生长（1.4倍）,并提高了叶片全N含量（98.8%）和Bt蛋白含量（83.3%）,但并未提高Bt蛋白N占全N量的比例。无论盐胁迫与否,施NO₃^--N处理的生物量和叶片全氮含量都显著高于施NH₄⁺-N的处理,但由于盐胁迫下NO₃^--N降低了Bt蛋白N占全氮的比例（11.0%）,叶片Bt蛋白含量则略低于NH₄⁺-N处理。据此认为,盐胁迫下施氮肥通过促进棉株对N素的吸收积累并影响全氮转化为Bt蛋白的比例,进而影响Bt蛋白含量。     

Interactive Effects of High Boron and NaCl Stresses on Subcellular Localization of Chloride and Boron in Wheat Leaves

Salinity and boron (B) toxicity often occur simultaneously and may have interactive effects on plant responses. This study aims at further investigating long‐term effects of salinity, B toxicity and their combination on wheat plants. Plants grown in hydroponics were treated with 2.5 μm H₃BO₃ (control), 75 mm NaCl, 200 μm H₃BO₃ or 75 mm NaCl + 200 μm H₃BO₃ and were analysed on a subcellular level 6 weeks after germination. Shoot fresh and dry weight (DW), water content, transpiration rate and osmolality were reduced, while Na⁺ and Cl^? concentrations increased under salinity stress. However, Cl^? was reduced in all compartments by an additional application of B toxicity. At adequate B supply, NaCl increased apoplastic and symplastic soluble B concentrations, whereas the total B content remained unchanged. At high B level, however, soluble and total B was reduced by additional salt stress. Despite this antagonistic effect of a combined salt and B toxicity stress on Cl^? and B concentrations, an additive effect was observed regarding shoot fresh weight reduction. Our results confirm an alleviating effect of the combined stresses on toxic ion concentrations, which did not prevent additive growth reductions.     

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.     

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.