High concentrations of sodium and chloride ions have opposing effects on the growth of the xerophyte Pugionium cornutum under saline conditions

Background : The research on plant salt tolerance has mainly focused on Na⁺, but Cl^? has been relatively neglected. Previous studies have found that the xerophyte Pugionium cornutum, an important forage grass in the arid and semi‐arid regions of northwestern China, could synergistically accumulate high quintiles of Na⁺ and Cl^? in its shoots under NaCl treatments. However, the separate effects of these ions on the adaptation of P. cornutum to saline conditions have not been investigated. Aims : In this study, the response of P. cornutum to Na⁺ and Cl^? was analyzed. Methods : Four‐week‐old seedlings were treated with additional 50 mM NaCl, Na⁺‐specific solution containing 50 mM Na⁺ with a mix of ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$, H₂ ${\mathrm{PO}}_4^{-}$, and ${\mathrm{SO}}_4^{2-}$ as counter anions, and Cl^?‐specific solution containing 50 mM Cl^? with a mix of K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ as counter cations. Results : Compared with the normal growth condition irrigated with Hoagland solution, the Na⁺‐specific solution severely impaired the growth and photosynthesis of P. cornutum due to the high accumulation of Na⁺ in shoots and the deterioration of tissue K⁺ homeostasis; while the Cl^?‐specific solution significantly increased shoot fresh and dry biomass. The Cl^?‐specific solution could also increase the turgor pressure in leaves for enhancing osmotic adjustment, which should be mainly attributed to the large accumulation of Cl^?, since the concentrations of other ions, including K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, H₂ ${\mathrm{PO}}_4^{-}$, and ${\mathrm{SO}}_4^{2-}$, in tissues under Cl^?‐specific treatment were maintained at the same levels as those observed under the normal condition. Conclusions : P. cornutum displays an excellent tolerance to moderate Cl^? but not to Na⁺, and the large accumulation of Cl^? should play a positive role in stimulating the growth of P. cornutum under salt stress.