The Experts below are selected from a list of 636 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Jie Song - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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effects of saline waterlogging and dryness moist alternations on seed germination of halophyte and xerophyte
Plant Species Biology, 2015Co-Authors: Jie Song, Tao Zhang, Jialin Fan, Gu FengAbstract:In arid zones, precipitation distribution is extremely uneven, with saline-waterlogging and dry–moist cycles appearing frequently, which negatively impact on seed germination and seedling establishment. The responses of two halophytes, Suaeda physophora and Haloxylon ammodendron, and a xerophyte, Haloxylon persicum, to saline-waterlogging and dry–moist cycles were studied. The results showed that aeration increased seed germination for all species when seeds were submerged in NaCl, especially for xerophyte. Compared with S. physophora and H. ammodendron, seed germination, recovery germination, and total germination of H. persicum were much lower when seeds were submerged in 700 mm NaCl, especially for the recovery germination and total germination of nongerminated seeds when the seeds were desiccated and then transferred to distilled water. However, when the seeds were submerged in 700 mm NaCl with aeration, the seed germination, recovery germination, and total germination of nongerminated seeds transferred to distilled water increased dramatically for H. persicum. No adverse effect of desiccation was found on those values of nongerminated seeds pretreated in NaCl with or without aeration for the two halophytes. In conclusion, seeds of the two halophytes were more tolerant to waterlogging and dry–moist cycles than seeds of the xerophyte during emergence under saline conditions; these traits may be important for halophytes to survive extreme saline environments during the seed germination stage.
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osmotic adjustment traits of suaeda physophora haloxylon ammodendron and haloxylon persicum in field or controlled conditions
Plant Science, 2006Co-Authors: Jie Song, Gu Feng, Changyan Tian, F ZhangAbstract:Abstract The osmotic adjustment traits of Suaeda physophora (euhalophyte), Haloxylon ammodendron (xero-halophyte) and Haloxylon persicum (xerophyte) were investigated both in field and under controlled conditions. The results showed that percentage of inorganic solutes in total solutes was over 90%, while the estimated contribution of Na+ to Ψs was over 50% for the two halophytic species, in field condition. The percentages of inorganic solutes and organic solutes were 66% and 34%, respectively, and the estimated contribution of Na+ to Ψs was less than 18%, while the estimated contribution of soluble sugars to Ψs was over 20% in H. persicum, in field condition. The estimated contribution of proline to Ψs was less than 0.2% for all species both in field and under salt stress in a greenhouse experiment. The estimated contribution of NO3− to Ψs was less than 4% for all species in field condition. In greenhouse experiment, the concentration of NO3− was higher under various NaCl treatments than that in control condition for S. physophora; the estimated contribution of NO3− to Ψs was over 7% in S. physophora, and it was higher than that in other species at various treatments. In conclusion, inorganic ions especially Na+ were more important in osmoregulation for S. physophora and H. ammodendron to adapt to saline and arid environment, while organic solutes, especially soluble sugars played more important role in drought adaptation in the xerophyte, H. persicum. Proline did not play an important role in osmoregulation for all species both in field and controlled conditions. NO3− played more important role in osmoregulation in S. physophora and H. ammodendron cultured in full-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution under NaCl treatments compared with that growing in saline soils in field condition.
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strategies for adaptation of suaeda physophora haloxylon ammodendron and haloxylon persicum to a saline environment during seed germination stage
Annals of Botany, 2005Co-Authors: Jie Song, Gu Feng, Changyan Tian, F ZhangAbstract:� Background and Aims Germination is very important for plant establishment in arid regions. The strategies taken by halophytes during the seed germination stage to adapt to saline environments in an arid zone were investigated in Suaeda physophora(euhalophyte), Haloxylon ammodendron(xero-halophyte) and Haloxylon persicum (xerophyte). � Methods Seeds of S. physophora, H. ammodendron and H. persicum were exposed to a range of iso-osmotic NaCl and PEG solutions. Seed germination in, and recovery germination from, high NaCl were recorded. The effects of iso-osmotic NaCl and PEG on seed water uptake and changes in ion content were measured. In addition,the structure of seeds and Na + distribution in the seed coat and embryos of dry seeds were investigated. � Key Results The relative increase in fresh weight of germinating seeds was markedly reduced in � 2� 24MPa PEG compared with that in � 2� 24MPa NaCl, while the opposite trend was found in concentration of K + during the initial 9h for all species. Haloxylon ammodendron and S. physophora had a higher recovery germination from � 3� 13MPa NaCl compared with H. persicum. Seeds of all species had no endosperm. More Na + was compartmentalized in the seed coats of the two halophytic species compared with that in the xerophyte H. persicum. � Conclusions The effect of NaCl on seed germination was due to both osmotic stress and ion toxicity for the three species. High soil salinity and a high content of Na + in seeds may induce more seeds to remain ungerminated in S. physophora and H. ammodendron. Morphological structure and adaptation to salinity during seed germination may determine the geographical distribution of H. ammodendron and S. physophora in certain saline regions.
F Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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osmotic adjustment traits of suaeda physophora haloxylon ammodendron and haloxylon persicum in field or controlled conditions
Plant Science, 2006Co-Authors: Jie Song, Gu Feng, Changyan Tian, F ZhangAbstract:Abstract The osmotic adjustment traits of Suaeda physophora (euhalophyte), Haloxylon ammodendron (xero-halophyte) and Haloxylon persicum (xerophyte) were investigated both in field and under controlled conditions. The results showed that percentage of inorganic solutes in total solutes was over 90%, while the estimated contribution of Na+ to Ψs was over 50% for the two halophytic species, in field condition. The percentages of inorganic solutes and organic solutes were 66% and 34%, respectively, and the estimated contribution of Na+ to Ψs was less than 18%, while the estimated contribution of soluble sugars to Ψs was over 20% in H. persicum, in field condition. The estimated contribution of proline to Ψs was less than 0.2% for all species both in field and under salt stress in a greenhouse experiment. The estimated contribution of NO3− to Ψs was less than 4% for all species in field condition. In greenhouse experiment, the concentration of NO3− was higher under various NaCl treatments than that in control condition for S. physophora; the estimated contribution of NO3− to Ψs was over 7% in S. physophora, and it was higher than that in other species at various treatments. In conclusion, inorganic ions especially Na+ were more important in osmoregulation for S. physophora and H. ammodendron to adapt to saline and arid environment, while organic solutes, especially soluble sugars played more important role in drought adaptation in the xerophyte, H. persicum. Proline did not play an important role in osmoregulation for all species both in field and controlled conditions. NO3− played more important role in osmoregulation in S. physophora and H. ammodendron cultured in full-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution under NaCl treatments compared with that growing in saline soils in field condition.
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strategies for adaptation of suaeda physophora haloxylon ammodendron and haloxylon persicum to a saline environment during seed germination stage
Annals of Botany, 2005Co-Authors: Jie Song, Gu Feng, Changyan Tian, F ZhangAbstract:� Background and Aims Germination is very important for plant establishment in arid regions. The strategies taken by halophytes during the seed germination stage to adapt to saline environments in an arid zone were investigated in Suaeda physophora(euhalophyte), Haloxylon ammodendron(xero-halophyte) and Haloxylon persicum (xerophyte). � Methods Seeds of S. physophora, H. ammodendron and H. persicum were exposed to a range of iso-osmotic NaCl and PEG solutions. Seed germination in, and recovery germination from, high NaCl were recorded. The effects of iso-osmotic NaCl and PEG on seed water uptake and changes in ion content were measured. In addition,the structure of seeds and Na + distribution in the seed coat and embryos of dry seeds were investigated. � Key Results The relative increase in fresh weight of germinating seeds was markedly reduced in � 2� 24MPa PEG compared with that in � 2� 24MPa NaCl, while the opposite trend was found in concentration of K + during the initial 9h for all species. Haloxylon ammodendron and S. physophora had a higher recovery germination from � 3� 13MPa NaCl compared with H. persicum. Seeds of all species had no endosperm. More Na + was compartmentalized in the seed coats of the two halophytic species compared with that in the xerophyte H. persicum. � Conclusions The effect of NaCl on seed germination was due to both osmotic stress and ion toxicity for the three species. High soil salinity and a high content of Na + in seeds may induce more seeds to remain ungerminated in S. physophora and H. ammodendron. Morphological structure and adaptation to salinity during seed germination may determine the geographical distribution of H. ammodendron and S. physophora in certain saline regions.
Suo-min Wang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Overexpression of the Zygophyllum xanthoxylum Aquaporin, ZxPIP1;3, Promotes Plant Growth and Stress Tolerance
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021Co-Authors: Suo-min Wang, Hongju YinAbstract:Drought and salinity can result in cell dehydration and water unbalance in plants, which seriously diminish plant growth and development. Cellular water homeostasis maintained by aquaporin is one of the important strategies for plants to cope with these two stresses. In this study, a stress-induced aquaporin, ZxPIP1;3, belonging to the PIP1 subgroup, was identified from the succulent xerophyte Zygophyllum xanthoxylum. The subcellular localization showed that ZxPIP1;3-GFP was located in the plasma membrane. The overexpression of ZxPIP1;3 in Arabidopsis prompted plant growth under favorable condition. In addition, it also conferred salt and drought tolerance with better water status as well as less ion toxicity and membrane injury, which led to more efficient photosynthesis and improved growth vigor via inducing stress-related responsive genes. This study reveals the molecular mechanisms of Xerophytes’ stress tolerance and provides a valuable candidate that could be used in genetic engineering to improve crop growth and stress tolerance.
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Sodium-Related Adaptations to Drought: New Insights From the Xerophyte Plant Zygophyllum xanthoxylum
Frontiers in plant science, 2018Co-Authors: Xi Jiejun, Hong-yu Chen, Wan-peng Bai, Rong-chen Yang, Peizhi Yang, Rujin Chen, Suo-min WangAbstract:Understanding the unusual physiological mechanisms that enable drought tolerance in Xerophytes will be of considerable benefit because of the potential to identify novel and key genetic elements for future crop improvements. These plants are interesting because they are well-adapted for life in arid zones; Zygophyllum xanthoxylum, for example, is a typical xerophytic shrub that inhabits central Asian deserts, accumulating substantial levels of sodium (Na+) in its succulent leaves while growing in soils that contain very low levels of this ion. The physiological importance of this unusual trait to drought adaptations remains poorly understood, however. Thus, 2-week-old Z. xanthoxylum plants were treated with 50 mM NaCl (Na) for 7 days in this study in order to investigate their drought tolerance, leaf osmotic potential (Ψs) related parameters, anatomical characteristics, and transpiration traits. The results demonstrated that NaCl treatment significantly enhanced both the survivability and durability of Z. xanthoxylum plants under extreme drought conditions. The bulk of the Na+ ions encapsulated in plants was overwhelmingly allocated to leaves rather than roots or stems under drought conditions; thus, compared to the control, significantly more Na+ compared to other solutes such as K+, Ca2+, Cl-, sugars, and proline accumulated in the leaves of NaCl-treated plants and led to a marked decrease (31%) in leaf Ψs. In addition, the accumulation of Na+ ions also resulted in mesophyll cell enlargement and leaf succulence, enabling the additional storage of water; Na+ ions also reduced the rate of water loss by decreasing stomatal density and down-regulating stomatal aperture size. The results of this study demonstrate that Z. xanthoxylum has evolved a notable ability to utilize Na+ ions to lower Ψs, swell its leaves, and decrease stomatal aperture sizes, in order to enable the additional uptake and storage of water and mitigate losses. These distinctive drought adaption characteristics mean that the xerophytic plant Z. xanthoxylum presents a fascinating case study for the potential identification of important and novel genetic elements that could improve crops. This report provides insights on the eco-physiological role of sodium accumulation in Xerophytes adapted to extremely arid habitats.
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Table_1_Sodium-Related Adaptations to Drought: New Insights From the Xerophyte Plant Zygophyllum xanthoxylum.DOCX
2018Co-Authors: Hong-yu Chen, Wan-peng Bai, Rong-chen Yang, Peizhi Yang, Rujin Chen, Suo-min WangAbstract:Understanding the unusual physiological mechanisms that enable drought tolerance in Xerophytes will be of considerable benefit because of the potential to identify novel and key genetic elements for future crop improvements. These plants are interesting because they are well-adapted for life in arid zones; Zygophyllum xanthoxylum, for example, is a typical xerophytic shrub that inhabits central Asian deserts, accumulating substantial levels of sodium (Na+) in its succulent leaves while growing in soils that contain very low levels of this ion. The physiological importance of this unusual trait to drought adaptations remains poorly understood, however. Thus, 2-week-old Z. xanthoxylum plants were treated with 50 mM NaCl (Na) for 7 days in this study in order to investigate their drought tolerance, leaf osmotic potential (Ψs) related parameters, anatomical characteristics, and transpiration traits. The results demonstrated that NaCl treatment significantly enhanced both the survivability and durability of Z. xanthoxylum plants under extreme drought conditions. The bulk of the Na+ ions encapsulated in plants was overwhelmingly allocated to leaves rather than roots or stems under drought conditions; thus, compared to the control, significantly more Na+ compared to other solutes such as K+, Ca2+, Cl-, sugars, and proline accumulated in the leaves of NaCl-treated plants and led to a marked decrease (31%) in leaf Ψs. In addition, the accumulation of Na+ ions also resulted in mesophyll cell enlargement and leaf succulence, enabling the additional storage of water; Na+ ions also reduced the rate of water loss by decreasing stomatal density and down-regulating stomatal aperture size. The results of this study demonstrate that Z. xanthoxylum has evolved a notable ability to utilize Na+ ions to lower Ψs, swell its leaves, and decrease stomatal aperture sizes, in order to enable the additional uptake and storage of water and mitigate losses. These distinctive drought adaption characteristics mean that the xerophytic plant Z. xanthoxylum presents a fascinating case study for the potential identification of important and novel genetic elements that could improve crops. This report provides insights on the eco-physiological role of sodium accumulation in Xerophytes adapted to extremely arid habitats.
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co expression of tonoplast cation h antiporter and h pyrophosphatase from xerophyte zygophyllum xanthoxylum improves alfalfa plant growth under salinity drought and field conditions
Plant Biotechnology Journal, 2016Co-Authors: Ai-ke Bao, Leila Touil, Peng Kang, Qianglong Wang, Suo-min WangAbstract:Salinity and drought are major environmental factors limiting the growth and productivity of alfalfa worldwide as this economically important legume forage is sensitive to these kinds of abiotic stress. In this study, transgenic alfalfa lines expressing both tonoplast NXH and H(+)-PPase genes, ZxNHX and ZxVP1-1 from the xerophyte Zygophyllum xanthoxylum L., were produced via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Compared with wild-type (WT) plants, transgenic alfalfa plants co-expressing ZxNHX and ZxVP1-1 grew better with greater plant height and dry mass under normal or stress conditions (NaCl or water-deficit) in the greenhouse. The growth performance of transgenic alfalfa plants was associated with more Na(+), K(+) and Ca(2+) accumulation in leaves and roots, as a result of co-expression of ZxNHX and ZxVP1-1. Cation accumulation contributed to maintaining intracellular ions homoeostasis and osmoregulation of plants and thus conferred higher leaf relative water content and greater photosynthesis capacity in transgenic plants compared to WT when subjected to NaCl or water-deficit stress. Furthermore, the transgenic alfalfa co-expressing ZxNHX and ZxVP1-1 also grew faster than WT plants under field conditions, and most importantly, exhibited enhanced photosynthesis capacity by maintaining higher net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and water-use efficiency than WT plants. Our results indicate that co-expression of tonoplast NHX and H(+)-PPase genes from a xerophyte significantly improved the growth of alfalfa, and enhanced its tolerance to high salinity and drought. This study laid a solid basis for reclaiming and restoring saline and arid marginal lands as well as improving forage yield in northern China.
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zxsos1 is essential for long distance transport and spatial distribution of na and k in the xerophyte zygophyllum xanthoxylum
Plant and Soil, 2014Co-Authors: Huijun Yuan, Jin-lin Zhang, Ai-ke Bao, Li Wei, Suo-min WangAbstract:Background and aims Two major adaptive strategies used by Zygophyllum xanthoxylum ,aC 3 succulent xerophyte, against arid environments are absorbing a great quantity of Na + from low-salinity soil which is efficientlytransported tothe leaves, and maintainingthe stability of K + concentration in those leaves. The plasma membrane Na + /H + antiporter SOS1 has been suggested to be involved in Na + transport and correlated with K + nutrition in glycophytes. In this study, we investigated the function of the plasma membrane Na + /H + antiporter ZxSOS1 in long-distance transport and spatial distribution of Na + and K + in the xerophyte Z. xanthoxylum.
Gu Feng - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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effects of saline waterlogging and dryness moist alternations on seed germination of halophyte and xerophyte
Plant Species Biology, 2015Co-Authors: Jie Song, Tao Zhang, Jialin Fan, Gu FengAbstract:In arid zones, precipitation distribution is extremely uneven, with saline-waterlogging and dry–moist cycles appearing frequently, which negatively impact on seed germination and seedling establishment. The responses of two halophytes, Suaeda physophora and Haloxylon ammodendron, and a xerophyte, Haloxylon persicum, to saline-waterlogging and dry–moist cycles were studied. The results showed that aeration increased seed germination for all species when seeds were submerged in NaCl, especially for xerophyte. Compared with S. physophora and H. ammodendron, seed germination, recovery germination, and total germination of H. persicum were much lower when seeds were submerged in 700 mm NaCl, especially for the recovery germination and total germination of nongerminated seeds when the seeds were desiccated and then transferred to distilled water. However, when the seeds were submerged in 700 mm NaCl with aeration, the seed germination, recovery germination, and total germination of nongerminated seeds transferred to distilled water increased dramatically for H. persicum. No adverse effect of desiccation was found on those values of nongerminated seeds pretreated in NaCl with or without aeration for the two halophytes. In conclusion, seeds of the two halophytes were more tolerant to waterlogging and dry–moist cycles than seeds of the xerophyte during emergence under saline conditions; these traits may be important for halophytes to survive extreme saline environments during the seed germination stage.
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osmotic adjustment traits of suaeda physophora haloxylon ammodendron and haloxylon persicum in field or controlled conditions
Plant Science, 2006Co-Authors: Jie Song, Gu Feng, Changyan Tian, F ZhangAbstract:Abstract The osmotic adjustment traits of Suaeda physophora (euhalophyte), Haloxylon ammodendron (xero-halophyte) and Haloxylon persicum (xerophyte) were investigated both in field and under controlled conditions. The results showed that percentage of inorganic solutes in total solutes was over 90%, while the estimated contribution of Na+ to Ψs was over 50% for the two halophytic species, in field condition. The percentages of inorganic solutes and organic solutes were 66% and 34%, respectively, and the estimated contribution of Na+ to Ψs was less than 18%, while the estimated contribution of soluble sugars to Ψs was over 20% in H. persicum, in field condition. The estimated contribution of proline to Ψs was less than 0.2% for all species both in field and under salt stress in a greenhouse experiment. The estimated contribution of NO3− to Ψs was less than 4% for all species in field condition. In greenhouse experiment, the concentration of NO3− was higher under various NaCl treatments than that in control condition for S. physophora; the estimated contribution of NO3− to Ψs was over 7% in S. physophora, and it was higher than that in other species at various treatments. In conclusion, inorganic ions especially Na+ were more important in osmoregulation for S. physophora and H. ammodendron to adapt to saline and arid environment, while organic solutes, especially soluble sugars played more important role in drought adaptation in the xerophyte, H. persicum. Proline did not play an important role in osmoregulation for all species both in field and controlled conditions. NO3− played more important role in osmoregulation in S. physophora and H. ammodendron cultured in full-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution under NaCl treatments compared with that growing in saline soils in field condition.
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strategies for adaptation of suaeda physophora haloxylon ammodendron and haloxylon persicum to a saline environment during seed germination stage
Annals of Botany, 2005Co-Authors: Jie Song, Gu Feng, Changyan Tian, F ZhangAbstract:� Background and Aims Germination is very important for plant establishment in arid regions. The strategies taken by halophytes during the seed germination stage to adapt to saline environments in an arid zone were investigated in Suaeda physophora(euhalophyte), Haloxylon ammodendron(xero-halophyte) and Haloxylon persicum (xerophyte). � Methods Seeds of S. physophora, H. ammodendron and H. persicum were exposed to a range of iso-osmotic NaCl and PEG solutions. Seed germination in, and recovery germination from, high NaCl were recorded. The effects of iso-osmotic NaCl and PEG on seed water uptake and changes in ion content were measured. In addition,the structure of seeds and Na + distribution in the seed coat and embryos of dry seeds were investigated. � Key Results The relative increase in fresh weight of germinating seeds was markedly reduced in � 2� 24MPa PEG compared with that in � 2� 24MPa NaCl, while the opposite trend was found in concentration of K + during the initial 9h for all species. Haloxylon ammodendron and S. physophora had a higher recovery germination from � 3� 13MPa NaCl compared with H. persicum. Seeds of all species had no endosperm. More Na + was compartmentalized in the seed coats of the two halophytic species compared with that in the xerophyte H. persicum. � Conclusions The effect of NaCl on seed germination was due to both osmotic stress and ion toxicity for the three species. High soil salinity and a high content of Na + in seeds may induce more seeds to remain ungerminated in S. physophora and H. ammodendron. Morphological structure and adaptation to salinity during seed germination may determine the geographical distribution of H. ammodendron and S. physophora in certain saline regions.
Changyan Tian - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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osmotic adjustment traits of suaeda physophora haloxylon ammodendron and haloxylon persicum in field or controlled conditions
Plant Science, 2006Co-Authors: Jie Song, Gu Feng, Changyan Tian, F ZhangAbstract:Abstract The osmotic adjustment traits of Suaeda physophora (euhalophyte), Haloxylon ammodendron (xero-halophyte) and Haloxylon persicum (xerophyte) were investigated both in field and under controlled conditions. The results showed that percentage of inorganic solutes in total solutes was over 90%, while the estimated contribution of Na+ to Ψs was over 50% for the two halophytic species, in field condition. The percentages of inorganic solutes and organic solutes were 66% and 34%, respectively, and the estimated contribution of Na+ to Ψs was less than 18%, while the estimated contribution of soluble sugars to Ψs was over 20% in H. persicum, in field condition. The estimated contribution of proline to Ψs was less than 0.2% for all species both in field and under salt stress in a greenhouse experiment. The estimated contribution of NO3− to Ψs was less than 4% for all species in field condition. In greenhouse experiment, the concentration of NO3− was higher under various NaCl treatments than that in control condition for S. physophora; the estimated contribution of NO3− to Ψs was over 7% in S. physophora, and it was higher than that in other species at various treatments. In conclusion, inorganic ions especially Na+ were more important in osmoregulation for S. physophora and H. ammodendron to adapt to saline and arid environment, while organic solutes, especially soluble sugars played more important role in drought adaptation in the xerophyte, H. persicum. Proline did not play an important role in osmoregulation for all species both in field and controlled conditions. NO3− played more important role in osmoregulation in S. physophora and H. ammodendron cultured in full-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution under NaCl treatments compared with that growing in saline soils in field condition.
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strategies for adaptation of suaeda physophora haloxylon ammodendron and haloxylon persicum to a saline environment during seed germination stage
Annals of Botany, 2005Co-Authors: Jie Song, Gu Feng, Changyan Tian, F ZhangAbstract:� Background and Aims Germination is very important for plant establishment in arid regions. The strategies taken by halophytes during the seed germination stage to adapt to saline environments in an arid zone were investigated in Suaeda physophora(euhalophyte), Haloxylon ammodendron(xero-halophyte) and Haloxylon persicum (xerophyte). � Methods Seeds of S. physophora, H. ammodendron and H. persicum were exposed to a range of iso-osmotic NaCl and PEG solutions. Seed germination in, and recovery germination from, high NaCl were recorded. The effects of iso-osmotic NaCl and PEG on seed water uptake and changes in ion content were measured. In addition,the structure of seeds and Na + distribution in the seed coat and embryos of dry seeds were investigated. � Key Results The relative increase in fresh weight of germinating seeds was markedly reduced in � 2� 24MPa PEG compared with that in � 2� 24MPa NaCl, while the opposite trend was found in concentration of K + during the initial 9h for all species. Haloxylon ammodendron and S. physophora had a higher recovery germination from � 3� 13MPa NaCl compared with H. persicum. Seeds of all species had no endosperm. More Na + was compartmentalized in the seed coats of the two halophytic species compared with that in the xerophyte H. persicum. � Conclusions The effect of NaCl on seed germination was due to both osmotic stress and ion toxicity for the three species. High soil salinity and a high content of Na + in seeds may induce more seeds to remain ungerminated in S. physophora and H. ammodendron. Morphological structure and adaptation to salinity during seed germination may determine the geographical distribution of H. ammodendron and S. physophora in certain saline regions.
