Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Physiological and antioxidant responses of Basella alba to NaCl or Na2SO4 stress

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Acta Physiologiae Plantarum Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Salinity is a major factor negatively affecting plant growth and agricultural productivity. To gain a better insight into Basella alba responses to different salt stress, some physiological parameters were investigated on this species after 15-day exposure to 200 mM NaCl or 100 mM Na2SO4 stress. Plant growth was significantly suppressed under salinity and a more pronounced impairment induced by NaCl instead of Na2SO4 was observed. A high level of water content was maintained in salt-treated shoot. Salinity stress caused marked increase in Na+, Ca2+, Cl− and SO4 2− concentrations and decrease in K+ level and K+/Na+, Ca2+/Na+ and Mg2+/Na+ ratios in plants. The absorptive abilities of K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ in plants were improved significantly under salinity. Plants suffered a deeper oxidative stress in the presence of NaCl than Na2SO4 as evidenced by the higher increase in foliar superoxide anions (O ·−2 ) and malondialdehyde (MDA) production as well as electrolyte leakage. No salt-induced alterations were observed on foliar hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) level. B. alba responded to the oxidative stress by enhancing antioxidant capacity involving ascorbate, reduced glutathione as well as antioxidant enzymes. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were all involved in the detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plants exposed to salt stress, whereas catalase (CAT) only functioned in the Na2SO4-treated plants. The ability of water maintenance in shoot and improvement of cation absorbability as well as enhanced foliar antioxidant capability all contribute to the salt adaptation of B. alba, whereas a more efficient cation transport system and antioxidant mechanisms may be responsible for the better acclimation of this species to Na2SO4 than NaCl.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abogadallah GM (2010) Antioxidative defense under salt stress. Plant Signal Behav 5:369–374

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aebi H (1984) Catalase in vitro. Methods Enzymol 105:121–126

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Akbari GA, Hojati M, Modarres-Sanavy SAM, Ghanati F (2011) Exogenously applied hexaconazole ameliorates salinity stress by inducing an antioxidant defense system in Brassica napus L. plants. Pestic Biochem Physiol 100:244–250

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amor NB, Hamed KB, Debez A, Grignon C, Abdelly C (2005) Physiological and antioxidant responses of the perennial halophyte Crithmum maritimum to salinity. Plant Sci 168:889–899

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amor NB, Jimenez A, Megdiche W, Lundqvist M, Sevilla F, Abdelly C (2006) Response of antioxidant systems to NaCl stress in the halophyte Cakile maritima. Physiol Plant 126:446–457

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aronson JA (1989) Haloph: a data base of salt tolerant plants of the world. Office of Arid Land Studies, University of Arizona, Tucson

    Google Scholar 

  • Asada K (1999) The water–water cycle in chloroplasts: scavenging of active oxygens and dissipation of excess photons. Ann Rev Plant Physiol Mol Bio 50:601–639

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benlloch-González M, Fournier JM, Ramos J, Benlloch M (2005) Strategies underlying salt tolerance in halophytes are present in Cynara cardunculus. Plant Sci 168:653–659

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bradford MM (1976) A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Anal Biochem 72:248–254

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chauhan SP, Sheth NR, Rathod IS, Suhagia BN, Maradia RB (2013) Analysis of betalains from fruits of Opuntia species. Phytochem Rev 12:35–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colla G, Rouphael Y, Rea E, Cardarelli M (2012) Grafting cucumber plants enhance tolerance to NaCl and sulfate salinization. Sci Hortic Amst 135:177–185

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devinar G, Llanes A, Masciarelli O, Luna V (2013) Different relative humidity conditions combined with chloride and sulfate salinity treatments modify abscisic acid and salicylic acid levels in the halophyte Prosopis strombulifera. Plant Growth Regul 70:247–256

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dionisio-Sese ML, Tobita S (1998) Antioxidant responses of rice seedlings to salinity stress. Plant Sci 135:1–9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dirr MA (1974) Tolerance of honeylocust seedlings to soil-applied salts. Hort Sci 9:53–54

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dong CX, Hayashi K, Mizukoshi Y, Lee JB, Hayashi T (2011) Structures of acidic polysaccharides from Basella rubra L. and their antiviral effects. Carbohydr Polym 84:1084–1092

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fatma M, Khan MIR, Masood A, Khan NA (2013) Coordinate changes in assimilatory sulfate reduction are correlated to salt tolerance: involvement of phytohormones. Annu Rev Res Biol 3:267–295

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fatma M, Asgher M, Masood A, Khan NA (2014) Excess sulfur supplementation improves photosynthesis and growth in mustard under salt stress through increased production of glutathione. Environ Exp Bot 107:55–63

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Flower TJ, Yeo AR (1988) Ion relation of salt tolerance. In: Baker DD, Hall JL (eds) Solute transport in cell and tissues. John Wiléy and Sons Inc, New York, pp 392–416

    Google Scholar 

  • Fouldrin K, Limami A (1993) Calcium (45Ca) mobility in chicory root (Cichorium intybus L.) as affected by the anionic composition of the nutrient solution during forcing. J Amer Soc Hort Sci 118:587–592

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Foyer CH, Halliwell B (1976) The presence of glutathione and glutathione reductase in chloroplast: a proposed role in ascorbic acid metabolism. Planta 133:21–25

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Franklin JA, Zwiazek JJ, Renault S, Croser C (2002) Growth and elemental composition of jack pine (Pinus banksiana) seedlings treated with sodium chloride and sodium sulfate. Trees 16:325–330

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gadallah MAA (1999) Effects of proline and glycinebetaine on Vicia faba responses to salt stress. Biol Plant 42:249–257

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gill S, Tuteja N (2010) Reactive oxygen species and antioxidant machinery in abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants. Plant Physiol Biochem 48:909–930

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grattan SR, Grieve CM (1999) Salinity-mineral nutrient relations in horticultural crops. Sci Hort 78:127–157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Halperin SJ, Kochian LV, Lynch JP (1997) Salinity stress inhibits calcium loading into the xylem of excised barley (Hordeum vulgare) roots. New Phytol 135:419–427

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamdia M, Shaddad MAK (1996) Comparative effect of sodium carbonate, sodium sulphate, and sodium chloride on the growth and related metabolic activities of pea plants. J Plant Nutr 19:717–728

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoagland DR, Arnon DI (1950) The water-culture method for growing plants without soil. California Agricultural Experiment Station. Circular 347:1–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodges DA, Forney CF (2001) Antioxidant responses in harvested leaves of two cultivars of spinach differing in senescence rates. J Amer Soc Hort Sci 126:611–617

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kalaji MH, Pietkiewicz S (1993) Salinity effects on plant growth and other physiological processes. Acta Physiol Plant 15:89–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalbasi M, Tabatabai MA (1985) Simultaneous determination of nitrate, chloride, sulfate, and phosphate in plant materials by ion chromatography. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 16:787–800

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kubis J (2008) Exogenous spermidine differentially alters activities of some scavenging system enzymes, H2O2 and superoxide radical levels in water-stressed cucumber leaves. J Plant Physiol 165:397–406

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kuiper PJC (1968) Lipids in grape roots in relation to chloride transport. Plant Physiol 43:1367–1371

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lin SM, Lin BH, Hsieh WM, Ko HJ, Liu CD, Chen LG, Chiou RY (2010) Structural identification and bioactivities of red-violet pigments present in B. alba fruits. J Agr Food Chem 58:10364–10372

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maathuis FJM (2009) Physiological functions of mineral macronutrients. Curr Opin Plant Biol 12:250–258

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Madhava Rao KV, Sresty TVS (2000) Antioxidative parameters in the seedlings of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh) in response to Zn and Ni stresses. Plant Sci 157:113–128

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marschner H (1995) Mineral nutrition of higher plants, 2nd edn. Institute of Plant Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Academic Press, Germany

    Google Scholar 

  • Murkherje SP, Choudhuri MA (1983) Implication of water stress-induced changes in the levels of endogenous ascorbic acid and hydrogenperoxide in Vigna seedings. Physiol Plant 58:166–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakano Y, Asada K (1981) Hydrogen peroxide is scavenged by ascorbate specific peroxidase in spinach chloroplasts. Plant Cell Physiol 22:867–880

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pagter M, Bragato CM, Alagoli M, Brix H (2009) Osmotic and ionic effects of NaCl and Na2SO4 salinity on Phragmites australis. Aquat Bot 90:43–51

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Panda SK, Khan MH (2009) Growth, oxidative damage and antioxidant responses in greengram (Vigna radiata L.) under short-term salinity stress and its recovery. J Agron Crop Sci 195:442–454

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Polle A, Otter T, Seifert F (1994) Apoplastic peroxidases and lignification in needles of Norway (Picea abies L.). Plant Physiol 106:53–60

    CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reinoso H, Sosa L, Reginato M, Luna V (2005) Histological alterations induced by sodium sulfate in the vegetative anatomy of Prosopis strombulifera (Lam.) Benth. World J Agric Sci 2:109–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Renault S, Croser C, Franklin JA, Zwiazek JJ (2001) Effects of NaCl and Na2SO4 on red-osier dogwood (Cronus stolonifera Michx) seedlings. Plant Soil 233:261–268

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers ME, Grieve CM, Shannon MC (1998) The response of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) to sodium sulphate and chloride salinity. Plant Soil 202:271–280

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sabra A, Daayf F, Renault S (2012) Differential physiological and biochemical responses of three Echinacea species to salinity stress. Sci Hortic Amst 135:23–31

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sekmen AH, Turkan I, Tanyolac ZO, Ozfidan C, Dinc A (2012) Different antioxidant defense responses to salt stress during germination and vegetative stages of endemic halophyte Gypsophila oblanceolata Bark. Environ Exp Bot 77:63–76

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shevyakova NI (1981) Transport and metabolism of sulphate under salt stress. In: Brouwer R, Gašparíková O, Kolek J, Loughman BC (eds) Structure and function of plant roots. Developments in plant and soil sciences, vol 1, pp 351–353

  • Smith IK (1985) Stimulation of glutathione synthesis in photorespiring plants by catalase inhibitors. Plant Physiol 79:1044–1047

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Szalai G, KellŐs T, Galiba G, Kocsy G (2009) Glutathione as an antioxidant and regulatory molecule in plants under abiotic stress conditions. J Plant Growth Regul 28:66–80

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tarchoune I, Sgherri C, Izzo R, Lachaal M, Ouerghi Z, Navari-Izzo F (2010) Antioxidative responses of Ocimum basilicum to sodium chloride or sodium sulphate salinization. Plant Physiol Biochem 48:772–777

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vicente O, Boscaiu M, Naranjo MÁ, Estrelles E, Bellés JM, Soriano P (2004) Responses to salt stress in the halophyte Plantago crassifolia (Plantaginaceae). J Arid Environ 58:463–481

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang SY, Jiao HJ, Faust M (1991) Changes in ascorbate, glutathione, and related enzymes activities during thidiazuron-induced bud break of apple. Physiol Plant 82:231–236

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu G, Magen H, Tarchitzky J, Kafkafi U (2000) Advances in chloride nutrition of plants. Adv Agron 68:97–150

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yıldıztugay E, Sekmen AH, Turkan I, Kucukoduk M (2011) Elucidation of physiological and biochemical mechanisms of an endemic halophyte Centaurea tuzgoluensis under salt stress. Plant Physiol Biochem 49:816–824

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng QS, Liu L, Liu ZP, Chen JM, Zhao GM (2009) Comparison of the response of ion distribution in the tissues and cells of the succulent plants Aloe vera and Salicornia europaea to saline stress. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 172:875–883

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are very grateful to Dr. Bin Guo (Institute of Soil and Fertilizer, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China) for his helpful comments on this manuscript. This work was financially supported by the Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province (2010B030800009), the Agricultural Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangzhou City (GZCQC1002FG08015) and the project of the Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest (201003014-2).

Author information

Author notes

    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer in South Region, Ministry of Agriculture; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nutrient Cycling and Farmland Conservation, Guangzhou, 510640, People’s Republic of China

      Jianfeng Ning, Shaoying Ai, Shaohai Yang, Yong Chen, Lili Sun, Ronghui Wang, Mengjun Li & Zhaobing Zeng

    2. College of Natural Resource and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People’s Republic of China

      Jianfeng Ning & Lihua Cui

    Authors
    1. Jianfeng Ning
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    2. Shaoying Ai
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    3. Shaohai Yang
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    4. Lihua Cui
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    5. Yong Chen
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    6. Lili Sun
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    7. Ronghui Wang
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    8. Mengjun Li
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    9. Zhaobing Zeng
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    Corresponding authors

    Correspondence to Shaoying Ai or Lihua Cui.

    Additional information

    Communicated by L. A. Kleczkowski.

    Shaoying Ai and Lihua Cui contributed equally.

    Rights and permissions

    Reprints and permissions

    About this article

    Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

    Cite this article

    Ning, J., Ai, S., Yang, S. et al. Physiological and antioxidant responses of Basella alba to NaCl or Na2SO4 stress. Acta Physiol Plant 37, 126 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-015-1860-5

    Download citation

    • Received:

    • Revised:

    • Accepted:

    • Published:

    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-015-1860-5

    Keywords

    Search

    Navigation