Chlorophyll in desiccated seeds of a euhalophyte, Suaeda physophora, and its significancy in plant adaptation to salinity during germination

The seed cotyledons of a euhalophyte, Suaeda physophora, were found to be dark green. The pigment extracted from the cotyledons was proved to be chlorophyll for the absorption spectra curve of extracts the same as that for leaves. Photosynthetic oxygen-exchanging could be detected after the seeds were moistened for 6 h. Microstructure of organelles in cotyledons of ungerminated seeds was detected by transmission electron microscopy. Histochemical pigmentation was used to investigate the degree of damage on the membrane of radicles. A xerophyte, Haloxylon persicum, whose cotyledons of desiccated seeds also contain chlorophyll was used as a comparative species. The results showed that S. physophora maintained the ultra-structure of chloroplasts, the integrity of plasma membranes of radicles kept much better than that of H. persicum, which showed the great adaptability to salinity of the euhalophyte even at the seed-germination stage. Seeds were incubated in 0 and 700 mmol/L NaCl for 10 days in darkness at 20 ℃ , then ungerminated seeds in NaCl solution were transferred to deionised water and reincubated for another 8 days and was recorded the germination recovery. Dry seeds moistened with deionised water germinated gradually in the dark and germination was maximal after 3 or 4 d. Seeds at 700 mmol/L NaCl for 10 d and transferred back to deionised water germinated abruptly, most seeds germinated in one day and photosynthesis was also detected. It is concluded that recovery germination of S. physophora ensured the seeds could germinate rapidly after salinity declines, for example under the mild but transitory favorable edaphic condition in early spring. Photosynthesis function in seeds might also promoted radicle growth and seedling establishment.

Effect of daily salinity fluctuation on the intraspecific interactions of a euhalophyte(Suaeda salsa)along a salinity gradient

Heterogeneity of soil salinity is a prominent environmental characteristic in the intertidal zone of estuaries,affecting the plant growth and the shift of biotic interactions in the salt marsh.This study aims to examine the interactive effects of a salinity gradient and salinity fluctuations on intraspecific interactions of a euhalophyte.We assessed the impact of daily fluctuating salinity on the outcome of intraspecific interactions by cultivating seeds of Suaeda salsa(Chenopodiaceae)in river sand.The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse with three treatments:daily salinity fluctuations(static and fluctuating salinity),a salinity gradient(200 and 400 mmol L^(−1))and three planting densities(1,2 and 4 plants/pot).First,height and biomass of plants were measured at both the start and end of the experiment.Then,the growth indexes and log response ratio of S.salsa were analyzed.The outcome of intraspecific interactions of S.salsa shifted from competition in low salinity to facilitation in high salinity,and high conspecific density strengthened the competition and facilitation intensities.Daily salinity fluctuation did not significantly affect the plant growth and the outcome of intraspecific interactions,but did have a significant influence on belowground biomass.Our results suggest that the stress-gradient hypothesis may apply to predicting the variation of the intraspecific relationship of a salt-tolerant species along a salinity gradient,and the magnitude of this variation is density dependent.These findings help us understand how individuals and populations of a euhalophyte species respond to the natural variation or human modification of salinity conditions.

Maternal salinity improves yield, size and stress tolerance of Suaeda fruticosa seeds

Shrubby seablite or lani(Suaeda fruticosa Forssk)is a perennial euhalophyte with succulent leaves,which could be planted on arid-saline lands for restoration and cultivated as a non-conventional edible or cash crop.Knowledge about the impacts of maternal saline environment on seed attributes of this important euhalophyte is lacking.This study investigated the effects of maternal salinity on yield,size and stress tolerance of S.fruticosa seeds.Seedlings of S.fruticosa were grown in a green net house under increasing maternal salinity levels(0,300,600 and 900 mM NaCl)until seed production.Total yield,size,stress tolerance and germination of the descended seeds under different maternal saline conditions were examined.Plants grown under saline conditions(300,600 and 900 mM NaCl)produce a substantially higher quantity of seeds than plants grown under non-saline condition(0 mM NaCl).Low maternal salinity(300 mM NaCl)improves seed size.Seeds produced under all maternal salinity levels display a higher tolerance to low temperature(night/day thermoperiod of 10℃/20℃),whereas seeds produced under 300 mM NaCl maternal saline condition show a better tolerance to high temperature(night/day thermoperiod of 25℃/35℃)during germination.Seeds from all maternal saline conditions germinate better in the 12 h photoperiod(12 h light/12 h dark)than in the dark(24 h dark);however,seeds produced from low and moderate maternal saline conditions(300 and 600 mM NaCl)show a higher germination in the dark than those from control and high maternal saline conditions(0 and 900 mM NaCl).In general,maternal salinity is found to improve yield,size and stress tolerance of S.fruticosa seeds.

Effects of sodium on nitrate uptake and osmotic adjustment of Suaeda physophora

Na+ ions play an important role in the growth of halophyte. The effect of Na+ ions on nitrate uptake and osmotic adjustment in the euhalophyte Suaeda physophora was investigated under glasshouse conditions. Seedlings were exposed to 1 mmol/L NaCl (control),300 mmol/L NaCl,150 mmol/L NaCl plus 150 mmol/L KCl or 300 mmol/L KCl treatments for 24 d. Dry weight was not affected greatly by different salt treatments,but water content and succulence in leaves of S. physophora were significantly increased at 300 mmol/L NaCl and 150 mmol/L NaCl plus 150 mmol/L KCl treatments. The concentrations of Na+ and NO3’ in leaves of S. physophora were the highest at 150 mmol/L NaCl plus 150 mmol/L KCl,but lowest at 300 mmol/L KCl treatment. Moreover,the increase of NO3’ concentration did not result in the decrease of Cl-concentration at 150 mmol/L NaCl plus 150 mmol/L KCl treatments. The estimated contribution of NO3’ to osmotic potential (CNO3) in leaves of S. physophora was 9.8% at 150 mmol/L NaCl plus 150 mmol/L KCl,and CNa and CCl were 31.0% and 23.3%,respectively. However,CNO3,CNa and CCl were respectively 1.6%,7.9% and 11.9% at 300 mmol/L KCl treatment. It is concluded that Na+ stimulates NO3’ absorption and the stimulation is independent on the internal or the external Cl-concentration in the euhalophyte S. physo-phora. These characteristics may explain the high levels of N in leaves of saline desert plants in arid ecosystem.