Genes and salt tolerance: bringing them together.
Salinity tolerance comes from genes that limit the rate of salt uptake from the soil and the transport of salt throughout the plant, adjust the ionic and osmotic balance of cells in roots and shoots, and regulate leaf development and the onset of senescence. This review lists some candidate genes for salinity tolerance, and draws together hypotheses about the functions of these genes and the specific tissues in which they might operate. Little has been revealed by gene expression studies so far, perhaps because the studies are not tissue-specific, and because the treatments are often traumatic and unnatural. Suggestions are made to increase the value of molecular studies in identifying genes that are important for salinity tolerance.
Munns
Rana
R
CSIRO Plant Industry, GPO Box 1600, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia. rana.munns@csiro.au
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017343:Genes, Plant; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000378:metabolism*; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
D012965:Sodium Chloride