Influence of extreme K:Na ratios and high substrate salinity on plant metabolism of crops differing in salt tolerance

Abstract

Ion‐specific initial salt effects due to supply of extreme K⁺, Na⁺, Cl or SO₄ ^2‐ combinations were studied on the carbohydrate pattern as well as on the activity of amylases, phosphorylase and invertase of two soybean varieties, Jackson and the more tolerant Lee.

Reducing sugars were little affected. Salinity increased leaf sucrose more in Jackson than in Lee, and more due to Cl^? than to SO₄ ^2‐ supply. Salinity increased the higher level of root sucrose in Lee less than the lower sucrose level in Jackson, independent of the nature of salination. Salinity increased leaf starch more in Jackson than in Lee. KCl increased leaf starch of Jackson most, Na₂SO₄. least. KCl increased leaf starch of Lee more than NaCl, while K₂SO₄ and Na₂SO₄ tended to decrease leaf starch. Only KCl stimulated amylases and phosphorylase in leaves of Jackson. Salinity changed amylases according to the starch content in leaves of Lee, while phosphorylase decreased independent of the ion combination supplied. Salinity decreased invertase in leaves of Jackson, it affected invertase in Lee only little.

It is suggested that the carbohydrate metabolism dependent and independent of ionic regulation contribute to physiological salt tolerance mechanisms of soybean varieties.     

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.     

Influence of extreme K:Na ratios and high substrate salinity on plant metabolism of crops differing in salt tolerance

The relation between activity of soluble acid invertase and sucrose content in leaves of young bushbeans (salt sensitive) and sugarbeets (salt tolerant) and ion‐specific effects of salinity environment were investigated. For comparison the response of isolated invertase from both plant species to ion combination and ion concentration was investigated. The plants were grown in water culture under controlled conditions.

In busbean leaves invertase activity decreased while sucrose increased. K⁺ with Cl^‐ as counterion was most effective “in vivo”;. However, there was little change in invertase activity or sucrose content in sugarbeet leaves. Independent of the origin of the enzyme, invertase activity was not affected by either ion concentration or ion combination “in vitro”;. Acid invertase might be a key enzyme in the utilization of carbohydrates. The ionic effect on acid invertase activity and carbohydrate content in intact plant tissue could be a possible indicator of salt tolerance of crops.     

Carbohydrate status in response to ion regulation of two rice varieties (Oryza Sativa L.) grown in saline medium

Two experiments were conducted to test varietal salt tolerance differences in the growth of rice and to identify initial ion‐specific salinity effects on ion regulation and carbohydrate metabolism.

The tillering growth stage of sensitive Giza 35 was more depressed due to high NaCl salinization than tolerant Giza 159. At low external K/Na there were no significant varietal differences in ion regulation. Reducing sugars generally were little affected by salinity. Salinization increased the low sucrose level in shoots of Giza 35 considerably, whereas the high sucrose level of Giza 159 was of little change. KC1 was most stimulative; sulfate had little effect in Giza 35 but decreased sucrose in Giza 159. Salinity Increased shoot starch content more in Giza 35 than in Giza 159, KC1 was most effective, whereas there was no change due to sodium sulfate treatment.

Possible interactions of ion regulation and carbohydrate metabolism in response to varietal salt tolerance of the two rice varieties were discussed. It is assumed that differences within the carbohydrate metabolism contribute to metabolic tolerance of rice varieties when grown in saline environment.     

Ameliorative effect of selenium on tomato plants grown under salinity stress

The ability of selenium (Se) to counteract salt inhibitory effects in crop plants, especially in tomato, is still poorly documented. In order to examine the impact of Se addition on the growth, some biochemical parameters related to osmotic adjustment and antioxidant defense of salt-stressed tomato, a two-factorial experiment was conducted in a greenhouse. The plants were supplied with NaCl (0, 25, or 50 mM) and Se (0, 5, or 10 μM), individually or simultaneously. The results showed that salinity had a deleterious impact on plant biomass and physiological parameters studied. The application of Se alleviated this adverse effect by improving the integrity of cell membranes and by increasing leaf relative water content under stress conditions. Moreover, the application of 10 μM Se significantly increased the photosynthetic pigments concentration under salt stress. Salt stress also caused an inhibition of catalase activity, but its activity was restored in the presence of Se. The free radical scavenging activity significantly increased in plants subjected to 25 mM NaCl and supplied with 5 µM Se, compared to NaCl-alone treatment. Both physiological and biochemical results indicate that 10 µM Se treatment can increase plant performance under salt stress, especially under high NaCl concentration.

Abbreviations: CAT: catalase; Chl: chlorophyll; DPPH: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; DW: dry weight; FW: fresh weight; POD: peroxidase; REL: relative electrolyte leakage; RWC: relative water content; free radical scavenging activity (FRSA); TW: turgid weight     

Invertase activity limits grain yield of maize under salt stress

Salt stress reduces grain yield of maize (Zea mays L.) due to poor kernel setting but not due to decreased grain filling. In the present study, it was tested whether acid invertase activity is decreased in developing kernels of maize under salt stress, and if assimilate supply is limited. The relatively salt‐sensitive maize hybrid Pioneer 3906 was compared with the more salt‐resistant hybrid SR 12. Salt stress caused a significant decrease in grain yield which was due to a 50% decrease in kernel number. No source limitation was observed, as the sucrose concentrations in kernels were significantly increased under salt stress for both genotypes. In contrast, glucose and fructose concentrations in kernels were significantly decreased. Salt stress caused a significant inhibition of soluble acid invertase activity to 19% in hydroponics 5 d after pollination (5 DAP) and to 50% in the soil culture experiment (2 DAP). The decrease in enzyme activity was the same for both genotypes. In the soil experiment, the highest soluble acid invertase activity was found 2 DAP with a steep decline until 8 DAP in Pioneer 3906. It is concluded that a decrease in acid invertase activity is a key factor associated with limited kernel setting under salt stress but additional factors may be responsible for genotypic differences.     

Effects of salt stress on distribution of Na+ and some other cations in two soybean varieties differing in salt tolerance

In the course of investigations on the impact of salinity on mineral ion transport in differentially salt susceptible soybeans (“Lee” and “Jackson”) short-term experiments were conducted to elucidate the distribution pattern of Na⁺ and some other cations. The results showed that low salinity (7.5 mM NaCl) did not induce varietal differences in Na⁺ content during a 30 hrs uptake period. At 66.5 mM NaCl, however, the Na⁺ contents increased more in the leaves of the salt sensitive variety “Jackson” than in “Lee”. Both soybean varieties retained Na⁺ in the proximal root and stem. Furthermore, they extruded considerable amounts of Na⁺ from the roots to the medium. Increasing the level of salinity in the solution substantially reduced the Ca²⁺ uptake of both soybean varieties. In an experiment with the salt sensitive variety under constant salinity but increasing Ca²⁺ concentration in the medium, the plants showed a reduction in Na⁺ uptake and translocation to stem and leaves and an enhanced Ca²⁺ uptake and translocation to the shoots. It is suggested that the injury observed in “Jackson” after salt treatment is not only related to the insufficient control of Cl^? transport. At higher salinity levels the increasing accumulation of Na⁺ in the leaves and the varietally independant depression of Ca²⁺ uptake and translocation may enhance the development of leaf necrosis.     

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.     

Studies on growth and distribution of Na+, K+ and Cl− in soybean varieties differing in salt tolerance

Soybean plants, varieties “Lee”, “Jackson” and “Bragg” were grown in solution culture at various salinity levels. A NaCl concentration of 10 mM was already inhibitory to growth of “Jackson”; growth of “Lee”, however, was only reduced at a salt concentration of 50 mM or higher. The moderately salt tolerant variety “Lee” efficiently excluded Cl^? from the leaves up to about 50 mM NaCl in the medium, but showed high Cl^? contents in the root; exclusion of Na⁺ from the leaves was also apparent in this variety. On the other hand, the salt sensitive variety “Jackson” did not have the capacity for exclusion of Cl^? and Na⁺. The physiological behaviour of the variety “Bragg” resembled that of “Jackson”. It is suggested that the exclusion of Cl^? and Na⁺ from the leaves in the soybean variety “Lee” is regulated by the root.     

盐敏感型与耐盐型高粱对盐胁迫反应的转录组差异分析

  【目的】  研究高粱盐胁迫的生理学差异及其分子机制,发掘高粱在盐胁迫过程中的关键调控基因,筛选高粱耐盐和盐敏感材料,探讨高粱耐盐胁迫的机制。  【方法】  本试验以耐盐材料“67B”及盐敏感材料“3560R”为研究对象,加入150 mmol/L NaCl溶液进行盐胁迫,测定叶片生长指标、进行转录组测序和生物信息学分析。  【结果】  盐分胁迫下,耐盐材料生长速率快,表现出较强的耐盐性,耐盐材料可以提高Na+的选择吸收及其在植株体内的积累与分配。盐胁迫下耐盐材料可以维持较高的过氧化氢酶活性,受到盐胁迫后该酶活性升高幅度相对较大,进而保持了较强的过氧化氢清除能力,能够及时清除过量积累的活性氧。盐胁迫下两个品系共有5040个差异表达基因。盐敏感材料和耐盐材料对盐胁迫的响应途径是相同的,两者差异表达基因在KEGG各pathway中的分布趋势差别很大,排名前五的基因数条目有3条相同,分别为苯丙烷类合成、植物激素信号转导和碳代谢通路,盐敏感材料中另外两条不同的条目为淀粉与蔗糖代谢及氨基酸生物合成通路,与基础代谢有关,盐敏感材料中差异基因主要集中在基础代谢和次生物质合成途径,是造成两个材料耐盐性差异的重要原因。  【结论】  高粱的耐盐机制调控是一个复杂的过程,是由不同通路一系列基因表达共同作用的结果,依赖于多个基因在复杂网络中的平衡表达。     

Comparative effects of mono and dipotassium phosphates on cell leakiness in corn leaves

The quantity of nutrients which can be sprayed onto the foliage of plants is limited by the onset of burn damage, but the mechanism(s) of burn induction are not defined. Droplets of KH₂PO₄ applied to intact leaf cuticles induced burn damage at concentrations ≥ 0.50 M whereas K₂HPO₄ was damaging at 0.05 M. Different cuticular penetration rates did not account for these differences. We report here on the comparative effects of these two salts on membrane integrity, as expressed by leakage of U.V. absorbing constituents from leaf cells. Infiltration of a hypotonic solution (0.05 to 0.10 M) of either salt into corn leaf segments did not induce selective acceleration of leakage of U.V. absorbing constituents from leaf cells during a 90 min. incubation. However, incubation in 0.10 M K₂HPO₄ lead to a 87% increase in the efflux of cell constituents when followed by a 10 min. osmotic stress treatment in 1M sucrose and subsequent transfer to water.

The induction of damage by K₂HPO₄ applied to intact plants was inhibited by high humidity low stress conditions. The results suggest that K₂HPO₄ has a selective toxic effect on plant cells which is potentiated by environmental water stress.     

Effect of moisture stress on Nitrate Reductase Activity (NRA) in PEA (Pisum sativum L.) [C3] and sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) [C4] plants

Nitrate reductase activity (NRA) was studied in pea, a C₃ plant, and sorghum, a C₄ plant, at various stages of growth and development. Influence of moisture stress and nitrogen application was also observed since these factors have profound influence on growth and development.

In pea, NRA was maximum at pod maturity stage and minimum at flowering stage. In sorghum plant there was gradual increase in NRA upto grain formation followed by a fall in activity at maturity.

Nitrogen treatment as nitrate and ammonia significantly increased nitrate reductase activity over control in both pea and sorghum. Treatment with potassium nitrate was found to stimulate more NRA in pea than with ammonium sulphate. In sorghum, both forms of nitrogen did not differ much in their influence on NRA.

Influence of moisture stress in reducing NRA was more clear in sorghum, a C₄ plant than in pea, a C₃ plant. In general, control plants recorded low NRA in both the crops when compared to nitrogen treated plants except at pod formation stage in pea.     

Low-P solution culture can be used for screening root growth vigor in soil for high nutrient uptake of spring wheat varieties

Purpose: Root and root hairs of plants have been intensively studied in solution culture; however, correlation of such measurements in solution culture with development in soil is poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study is to study whether root and root hairs grown in solution culture can predict their behavior in soil and their correlation with macro- and micronutrients uptake of wheat genotypes.

Materials and methods: The growth of roots and root hairs as well as uptake of macro- and micronutrients of six spring wheat varieties was compared in solution culture under P stress and P abundance and in a low fertility soil.

Results and conclusions: Root length and surface area under P stress were significantly positively correlated with that in the low fertility soil, while no such correlation was apparent for root hair length and density. In absolute terms, the root length, surface area, root hair length and density of spring wheat varieties were substantially higher in soil than in solution culture, while the concentration and uptake of macro- and micronutrients in soil differed from solution culture in a complex way. The early uptake of macro- and micronutrients was intimately associated with root length and surface area as well as root hair length and density in soil but not in solution culture. Therefore, root length rather than root hair traits in low-P solution may be used to screen early root growth vigor in soil and thereby high nutrient uptake of wheat in low fertility soil.     

Effect of soil potassium availability on soybean root and shoot growth under unrestrained rooting conditions 1

The development of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) root systems was Investigated in two greenhouse pot experiments utilizing a modified cage technique. One soil at two levels of K availability was used to observe the effect of soil K fertility level on root weight and root length in 3 cm depth Increments to 24 cm. Experiments were terminated prior to restraint of root growth by the containers. Shoot mineral accumulation and dry matter partitioning between root and shoot components were Investigated.

High K plants were shorter and had a greater root:shoot mass ratio than low K plants. A trend for greater root dry matter production in soil layers below 12 cm under high K conditions was observed. There were no differences in root length between the treatments at any depth. Tissue K content was greater in the high K treatments and this Increase was equivalents offset by decreased tissue Mg concentrations. The taller low K plants had a greater leaf area and a lower specific leaf weight, resulting in part from decreased starch content. Daily evapotranspirational water losses per pot tended to be greater under the low K availability regime. This Information led to the speculation that under low K conditions, the soybean plant may increase K accumulation by promoting transpirational water use, aiding soil K acquisition by mass flow and diffusion. Tissue carbohydrate analyses suggest greater translocation of photosynthate out of the leaf in the low K plants for use in root absorption metabolism, rather than for production of increased root dry matter and/or increased root length.     

Influence of extreme K:Na ratios and high substrate salinity on plant metabolism of crops differing in salt tolerance

Mineral regulation of two soybean varieties Jackson and Lee was investigated in long term water culture experiments using saline solutions. The effects of extreme K:Na ratios using chloride and sulfate as counterions were studied in the early stages of salinity.

The growth rates of both varieties were not affected by salinization. A K⁺ stimulated, intensive acropetal Cl^‐ translocation was observed in the salt sensitive variety Jackson. The varieties did not differ in Na⁺ translocation and in the suppression of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the leaves. But the effect of the nature of salinization indicates already differences in Na uptake and translocation of the cultivars.

The avoidance of Cl^‐, but also of Ha⁺, in connection with influences of the resulting ionic imbalance on metabolic pathways are probably the most causative factors for the different tolerance to salinity of the two soybean varieties.     

Influence of ferredoxin levels on nitrate reductase activity in iron deficient lemon leaves

The relationship between nitrate reductase activity and ferredoxin levels in lemon tree leaves was studied. The experiments were carried out on leaves from full‐nutrient sufficient trees as the reference, and on leaves from trees with several nutritional stresses, mainly iron chlorosis from trees growing under Fe‐stressed conditions.

Iron deficiency reduced leaf ferredoxin concentration and consequently decreased nitrate reductase activity. Fe(II) infiltration treatments of intact leaves, as well as several incubation assays, permit to deduce the dependence of the enzymatic nitrate reduction of the leaf ferredoxin levels.     

盐胁迫对枸杞叶片糖代谢及相关酶活性的影响研究

试验研究盐胁迫对枸杞叶片糖代谢及相关酶活性的影响结果表明,随NaCl浓度升高和处理时间的延长,枸杞叶片多糖和可溶性糖含量显著增加(P<0.05),蔗糖含量呈上升趋势,而淀粉含量显著下降(P<0.05),还原糖含量呈下降趋势。随NaCl浓度的增加,枸杞叶片中中性转化酶活性显著降低(P<0.05);3g/kg、6g/kg NaCl处理对酸性转化酶活性影响较小,3g/kg NaCl处理降低蔗糖合成酶而对蔗糖磷酸合成酶活性基本无影响;6g/kg NaCl处理蔗糖合成酶活性随时间先降后升,而对蔗糖磷酸合成酶活性影响较小;但9g/kg NaCl处理显著降低酸性转化酶、蔗糖磷酸合成酶活性(P<0.05)。     

The glycine‐glomus‐rhizobium symbiosis III. Endophyte effects on leaf carbon,nitrogen, and phosphorus nutrition

Soybean plants [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were grown in pots and inoculated with Rhizobium japonicum and/or Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trappe, either at planting or 20 days later. Nitrogen was supplied in the nutrient solution to plants without nitrogen‐fixing bacteria, and P was added to those without the mycorrhizal fungus. At harvest, 50 days after planting, all plants had leaves of similar dry mass. Each root symbiont grew best in the absence of the other. Growth of Glomus reflected the duration of its growing time and the presence and duration of competition from Rhizobium. Nodule weight in the tripartite associations, on the other hand, was inhibited only by the earlier introduction of Glomus.

Dipartite associations and the plants inoculated with both root symbionts at planting had the highest concentration of leaf N, and the lowest was in those inoculated with both organisms at d 20. Leaf P was highest in plants inoculated only with Rhizobium, and lowest in those tripartite associations involving any inoculation at day 20. The low values were presumably a result of the short duration of endophyte‐mediated P uptake before the plants were harvested.

Although there was almost no difference in leaf sugar concentrations, starch concentrations reflected the duration of Glomus growth, and were greatest in those plants that had supported it for the least time. Uninoculated plants contained the least starch, but produced a greater fresh mass of leaf tissue than any of the tripartite symbionts.     

Differential zinc uptake and transport in sorghum varieties suited for different moisture regimes

Zinc absorption and transport were examined in M‐35 a drought resistant, and M‐47, a drought susceptible sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cultivar. Excised roots were employed to study the mechanisms of uptake at cellular level in these varieties.

The absorption over 0 to 130 μM ZnCl₂ followed a biphasic pattern with a second rise at 90 μM, a feature which was not observed in the absorption by roots of intact seedlings. While there were no differences in the patterns of absorption in the two cultivars, the transport to shoot in M‐35 followed a slower rate up to 90 μM than that in M‐47. When Zn uptake was examined for 6 hours, the absorption and transport showed a number of changes in phase, which were running parallel. The transport of Zn followed a higher rate in M‐47 than that in M‐35.

Phosphate decreased the uptake and also transport of Zn in both the varieties. However, Zn inhibited phosphate absorption and transport in intact seedlings differentially amongst the varieties. Further, the inhibition of Zn uptake was much less in M‐35 than in M‐47, a feature which will perhaps facilitate survival of M‐35 under water stress, a condition which would also limit phosphate availability.     

Resistance breeding and biocontrol of Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze in maize: a review

Purpose: The aims of this article are to highlight pre-breeding procedures for identifying primary sources of Striga-resistance genes and to summarize complimentary breeding techniques that enhance partial resistance of maize varieties against Striga species.

Materials and methods: The paper presented a comprehensive account of Striga screening and controlling techniques and highlighted the potential of integrating partial resistance with FOS to boost maize production and productivity in SSA.

Results: Striga infestation is a major constraint to maize production and productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A lack of Striga-resistant maize varieties and the limited adoption of other control methods hinder effective and integrated control of the parasitic weed in maize and related cereal crops globally. Genetic resistance of maize should be complemented with the use of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. strigea (FOS), a biocontrol agent known to suppress Striga.

Conclusions: A combined use of genetic resistance and FOS has remained largely unutilized in controlling Striga in Africa. A combination of conventional and molecular Striga-resistance breeding tools as well as the use of FOS are promising methods to effectively control Striga in SSA.