Morphological, physiological, and structural responses of two species of artemisia to NaCl stress.
Effects of salt stress on Artemisia scoparia and A. vulgaris "Variegate" were examined. A. scoparia leaves became withered under NaCl treatment, whereas A. vulgaris "Variegate" leaves were not remarkably affected. Chlorophyll content decreased in both species, with a higher reduction in A. scoparia. Contents of proline, MDA, soluble carbohydrate, and Na(+) increased in both species under salt stress, but A. vulgaris "Variegate" had higher level of proline and soluble carbohydrate and lower level of MDA and Na(+). The ratios of K(+)/Na(+), Ca(2+)/Na(+), and Mg(2+)/Na(+) in A. vulgaris "Variegate" under NaCl stress were higher. Moreover, A. vulgaris "Variegate" had higher transport selectivity of K(+)/Na(+) from root to stem, stem to middle mature leaves, and upper newly developed leaves than A. scoparia under NaCl stress. A. vulgaris "Variegate" chloroplast maintained its morphological integrity under NaCl stress, whereas A. scoparia chloroplast lost integrity. The results indicated that A. scoparia is more sensitive to salt stress than A. vulgaris "Variegate." Salt tolerance is mainly related to the ability of regulating osmotic pressure through the accumulation of soluble carbohydrates and proline, and the gradient distribution of K(+) between roots and leaves was also contributed to osmotic pressure adjustment and improvement of plant salt tolerance.
College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China ; Jiangsu Province Engineering Lab for Modern Facility Agriculture Technology & Equipment, Nanjing 210095, China.
Zhi-Yong
ZY
Guan
Yi-Ji
YJ
Su
Nian-Jun
NJ
Teng
Su-Mei
SM
Chen
Hai-Nan
HN
Sun
Chu-Ling
CL
Li
Fa-Di
FD
Chen
D019306:Artemisia / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D002413:Cations, Divalent / Q000378:metabolism; D002414:Cations, Monovalent / Q000378:metabolism; D002736:Chloroplasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism; D009997:Osmotic Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D055049:Salt Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*
D002413:Cations, Divalent; D002414:Cations, Monovalent; D008670:Metals; D012965:Sodium Chloride