Identification and functional characterization of cation-chloride cotransporters in plants

OsHAK4 functions in retrieving sodium from the phloem at the reproductive stage of rice

Soil salinity significantly limits rice productivity, but it is poorly understood how excess sodium (Na+) is delivered to the grains at the reproductive stage. Here, we functionally characterized OsHAK4, a member of the clade IV HAK/KUP/KT transporter subfamily in rice. OsHAK4 was localized to the plasma membrane and exhibited influx transport activity for Na+, but not for K+. Analysis of organ- and growth stage-dependent expression patterns showed that very low expression levels of OsHAK4 were detected at the vegetative growth stage, but its high expression in uppermost node I, peduncle, and rachis was found at the reproductive stage. Immunostaining indicated OsHAK4 localization in the phloem region of node I, peduncle, and rachis. Knockout of OsHAK4 did not affect the growth and Na+ accumulation at the vegetative stage. However, at the reproductive stage, the hak4 mutants accumulated higher Na+ in the peduncle, rachis, husk, and brown rice compared to the wild-type rice. Element imaging revealed higher Na+ accumulation at the phloem region of the peduncle in the mutants. These results indicate that OsHAK4 plays a crucial role in retrieving Na+ from the phloem in the upper nodes, peduncle, and rachis, thereby preventing Na+ distribution to the grains at the reproductive stage of rice.

The OsDIR55 gene increases salt tolerance by altering the root diffusion barrier

The increased soil salinity is becoming a major challenge to produce more crops and feed the growing population of the world. In this study, we demonstrated that overexpression of OsDIR55 gene enhances rice salt tolerance by altering the root diffusion barrier. OsDIR55 is broadly expressed in all examined tissues and organs with the maximum expression levels at lignified regions in rice roots. Salt stress upregulates the expression of OsDIR55 gene in an abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent manner. Loss-function and overexpression of OsDIR55 compromised and improved the development of CS and root diffusion barrier, manifested with the decreased and increased width of CS, respectively, and ultimately affected the permeability of the apoplastic diffusion barrier in roots. OsDIR55 deficiency resulted in Na+ accumulation, ionic imbalance, and growth arrest, whereas overexpression of OsDIR55 enhances salinity tolerance and provides an overall benefit to plant growth and yield potential. Collectively, we propose that OsDIR55 is crucial for ions balance control and salt stress tolerance through regulating lignification-mediated root barrier modifications in rice.

Exogenous zinc application mitigates negative effects of salinity on barley (Hordeum vulgare) growth by improving root ionic homeostasis

Detrimental effects of salinity could be mitigated by exogenous zinc (Zn) application; however, the mechanisms underlying this amelioration are poorly understood. This study demonstrated the interaction between Zn and salinity by measuring plant biomass, photosynthetic performance, ion concentrations, ROS accumulation, antioxidant activity and electrophysiological parameters in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Salinity stress (200mM NaCl for 3weeks) resulted in a massive reduction in plant biomass; however, both fresh and dry weight of shoots were increased by ~30% with adequate Zn supply. Zinc supplementation also maintained K+ and Na+ homeostasis and prevented H2 O2 toxicity under salinity stress. Furthermore, exposure to 10mM H2 O2 resulted in massive K+ efflux from root epidermal cells in both the elongation and mature root zones, and pre-treating roots with Zn reduced ROS-induced K+ efflux from the roots by 3-4-fold. Similar results were observed for Ca2+ . The observed effects may be causally related to more efficient regulation of cation-permeable non-selective channels involved in the transport and sequestration of Na+ , K+ and Ca2+ in various cellular compartments and tissues. This study provides valuable insights into Zn protective functions in plants and encourages the use of Zn fertilisers in barley crops grown on salt-affected soils.

Meta-analysis of identified genomic regions and candidate genes underlying salinity tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice output has grown globally, yet abiotic factors are still a key cause for worry. Salinity stress seems to have the more impact on crop production out of all abiotic stresses. Currently one of the most significant challenges in paddy breeding for salinity tolerance with the help of QTLs, is to determine the QTLs having the best chance of improving salinity tolerance with the least amount of background noise from the tolerant parent. Minimizing the size of the QTL confidence interval (CI) is essential in order to primarily include the genes responsible for salinity stress tolerance. By considering that, a genome-wide meta-QTL analysis on 768 QTLs from 35 rice populations published from 2001 to 2022 was conducted to identify consensus regions and the candidate genes underlying those regions responsible for the salinity tolerance, as it reduces the confidence interval (CI) to many folds from the initial QTL studies. In the present investigation, a total of 65 MQTLs were extracted with an average CI reduced from 17.35 to 1.66 cM including the smallest of 0.01 cM. Identification of the MQTLs for individual traits and then classifying the target traits into correlated morphological, physiological and biochemical aspects, resulted in more efficient interpretation of the salinity tolerance, identifying the candidate genes and to understand the salinity tolerance mechanism as a whole. The results of this study have a huge potential to improve the rice genotypes for salinity tolerance with the help of MAS and MABC.

Designing salt stress-resilient crops: Current progress and future challenges

Excess soil salinity affects large regions of land and is a major hindrance to crop production worldwide. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant salt tolerance has scientific importance and practical significance. In recent decades, studies have characterized hundreds of genes associated with plant responses to salt stress in different plant species. These studies have substantially advanced our molecular and genetic understanding of salt tolerance in plants and have introduced an era of molecular design breeding of salt-tolerant crops. This review summarizes our current knowledge of plant salt tolerance, emphasizing advances in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of osmotic stress tolerance, salt-ion transport and compartmentalization, oxidative stress tolerance, alkaline stress tolerance, and the trade-off between growth and salt tolerance. We also examine recent advances in understanding natural variation in the salt tolerance of crops and discuss possible strategies and challenges for designing salt stress-resilient crops. We focus on the model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and the four most-studied crops: rice (Oryza sativa), wheat (Triticum aestivum), maize (Zea mays), and soybean (Glycine max).

Structural, developmental and functional analyses of leaf salt glands of mangrove recretohalophyte Aegiceras corniculatum

Salt secretion is an important strategy used by the mangrove plant Aegiceras corniculatum to adapt to the coastal intertidal environment. However, the structural, developmental and functional analyses on the leaf salt glands, particularly the salt secretion mechanism, are not well documented. In this study, we investigated the structural, developmental and degenerative characteristics and the salt secretion mechanisms of salt glands to further elucidate the mechanisms of salt tolerance of A. corniculatum. The results showed that the salt gland cells have a large number of mitochondria and vesicles, and plenty of plasmodesmata as well, while chloroplasts were found in the collecting cells. The salt glands developed early and began to differentiate at the leaf primordium stage. We observed and defined three stages of salt gland degradation for the first time in A. corniculatum, where the secretory cells gradually twisted and wrinkled inward and collapsed downward as the salt gland degeneration increased and the intensity of salt gland autofluorescence gradually diminished. In addition, we found that the salt secretion rate of the salt glands increased when the treated concentration of NaCl increased, reaching the maximum at 400 mM NaCl. The salt-secreting capacity of the salt glands of the adaxial epidermis is significantly greater than that of the abaxial epidermis. The real-time quantitative PCR results indicate that SAD2, TTG1, GL2 and RBR1 may be involved in regulating the development of the salt glands of A. corniculatum. Moreover, Na+/H+ antiporter, H+-ATPase, K+ channel and Cl- channel may play important roles in the salt secretion of salt glands. In sum mary, this study strengthens the understanding of the structural, developmental and degenerative patterns of salt glands and salt secretion mechanisms in mangrove recretohalophyte A. corniculatum, providing an important reference for further studies at the molecular level.

Ion Changes and Signaling under Salt Stress in Wheat and Other Important Crops

High concentrations of sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl-), calcium (Ca2+), and sulphate (SO42-) are frequently found in saline soils. Crop plants cannot successfully develop and produce because salt stress impairs the uptake of Ca2+, potassium (K+), and water into plant cells. Different intracellular and extracellular ionic concentrations change with salinity, including those of Ca2+, K+, and protons. These cations serve as stress signaling molecules in addition to being essential for ionic homeostasis and nutrition. Maintaining an appropriate K+:Na+ ratio is one crucial plant mechanism for salt tolerance, which is a complicated trait. Another important mechanism is the ability for fast extrusion of Na+ from the cytosol. Ca2+ is established as a ubiquitous secondary messenger, which transmits various stress signals into metabolic alterations that cause adaptive responses. When plants are under stress, the cytosolic-free Ca2+ concentration can rise to 10 times or more from its resting level of 50-100 nanomolar. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are linked to the Ca2+ alterations and are produced by stress. Depending on the type, frequency, and intensity of the stress, the cytosolic Ca2+ signals oscillate, are transient, or persist for a longer period and exhibit specific "signatures". Both the influx and efflux of Ca2+ affect the length and amplitude of the signal. According to several reports, under stress Ca2+ alterations can occur not only in the cytoplasm of the cell but also in the cell walls, nucleus, and other cell organelles and the Ca2+ waves propagate through the whole plant. Here, we will focus on how wheat and other important crops absorb Na+, K+, and Cl- when plants are under salt stress, as well as how Ca2+, K+, and pH cause intracellular signaling and homeostasis. Similar mechanisms in the model plant Arabidopsis will also be considered. Knowledge of these processes is important for understanding how plants react to salinity stress and for the development of tolerant crops.

Modification of Gene Expression of Tomato Plants through Foliar Flavonoid Application in Relation to Enhanced Growth

The exogenous application of phenolic compounds is increasingly recognized as a valuable strategy for promoting growth and mitigating the adverse effects of abiotic stress. However, the biostimulant effect under optimal conditions has not been thoroughly explored. In this study, we investigated the impact of foliar application of flavonoids, specifically CropBioLife (CBL), on tomato plants grown under controlled conditions. Our study focused on determining growth parameters, such as cell size, and assessing the concentration of hormones. Principal component analysis (PCA) from all physiological variables was determined. Additionally, we utilized high-throughput mRNA-sequencing technology and bioinformatic methodologies to robustly analyze the transcriptomes of tomato leaves regulated by flavonoids. The findings revealed that CBL primarily influenced cell enlargement by 60%, leading to increased growth. Furthermore, CBL-treated plants exhibited higher concentrations of the hormone zeatin, but lower concentrations of IAA (changes of 50%). Moreover, RNA-seq analysis indicated that CBL-treated plants required increased mineral transport and water uptake, as evidenced by gene expression patterns. Genes related to pathways such as fatty acid degradation, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and ABC transporters showed regulatory mechanisms governing internal flavonoid biosynthesis, transport, and tissue concentration, ultimately resulting in higher flavonoid concentrations in tomato leaves.

Transcriptomic and metabolic studies on the role of inorganic and organic iodine compounds in lettuce plants

Iodine (I) is considered a beneficial element or even micronutrient for plants. The aim of this study was to determine the molecular and physiological processes of uptake, transport, and metabolism of I applied to lettuce plants. KIO3, KIO3 + salicylic acid, 5-iodosalicylic acid and 3,5-diiodosalicylic acid were applied. RNA-sequencing was executed using 18 cDNA libraries constructed separately for leaves and roots from KIO3, SA and control plants. De novo transcriptome assembly generated 1937.76 million sequence reads resulting in 27,163 transcripts with N50 of 1638 bp. 329 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in roots were detected after application of KIO3, out of which 252 genes were up-regulated, and 77 were down-regulated. In leaves, 9 genes revealed differential expression pattern. DEGs analysis indicated its involvement in such metabolic pathways and processes as: chloride transmembrane transport, phenylpropanoid metabolism, positive regulation of defense response and leaf abscission, and also ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, circadian rhythm including flowering induction as well as a putative PDTHA (i.e. Plant Derived Thyroid Hormone Analogs) metabolic pathway. qRT-PCR of selected genes suggested their participation in the transport and metabolism of iodine compounds, biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites, PDTHA pathway and flowering induction.

The concept of mineral plant nutrient in the light of evolution

The concept of mineral plant nutrient has been the subject of a long debate. Here, we suggest that an updated discussion on this issue requires considering three dimensions. The first one is ontological as it refers to the fundamentals that underlie the category of being a mineral plant nutrient, the second one refers to the practical rules helping to assign a given element to that category, while the third dimension implies the consequences of those rules for human activities. We highlight the idea that the definition of what is a mineral plant nutrient can be enriched by incorporating an evolutionary perspective, thus giving biological insight and helping to integrate information from different disciplines. Following this perspective, mineral nutrients can be contemplated as the elements adopted and/or retained, along evolution, for survival and reproductive success. We suggest that the operational rules stated in both early and recent works, while highly valuable for their original purposes, will not necessarily account for fitness under the conditions prevailing in natural ecosystems where elements were adopted and are retained -as a result of natural selection processes- covering a wide spectrum of biological activities. We outline a new definition that considers the mentioned three dimensions.

Cytokinin signaling promotes salt tolerance by modulating shoot chloride exclusion in maize

Excessive accumulation of chloride (Cl^-) in the aboveground tissues under saline conditions is harmful to crops. Increasing the exclusion of Cl^- from shoots promotes salt tolerance in various crops. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that a type A response regulator (ZmRR1) modulates Cl^- exclusion from shoots and underlies natural variation of salt tolerance in maize. ZmRR1 negatively regulates cytokinin signaling and salt tolerance, likely by interacting with and inhibiting His phosphotransfer (HP) proteins that are key mediators of cytokinin signaling. A naturally occurring non-synonymous SNP variant enhances the interaction between ZmRR1 and ZmHP2, conferring maize plants with a salt-hypersensitive phenotype. We found that ZmRR1 undergoes degradation under saline conditions, leading to the release of ZmHP2 from ZmRR1 inhibition, and subsequently ZmHP2-mediated signaling improves salt tolerance primarily by promoting Cl^- exclusion from shoots. Furthermore, we showed that ZmMATE29 is transcriptionally upregulated by ZmHP2-mediated signaling under highly saline conditions and encodes a tonoplast-located Cl^- transporter that promotes Cl^- exclusion from shoots by compartmentalizing Cl^- into the vacuoles of root cortex cells. Collectively, our study provides an important mechanistic understanding of the cytokinin signaling-mediated promotion of Cl^- exclusion from shoots and salt tolerance and suggests that genetic modification to promote Cl^- exclusion from shoots is a promising route for developing salt-tolerant maize.

Cryo-EM structure of the human NKCC1 transporter reveals mechanisms of ion coupling and specificity

The sodium-potassium-chloride transporter NKCC1 of the SLC12 family performs Na⁺ -dependent Cl^- - and K⁺ -ion uptake across plasma membranes. NKCC1 is important for regulating cell volume, hearing, blood pressure, and regulation of hyperpolarizing GABAergic and glycinergic signaling in the central nervous system. Here, we present a 2.6 Å resolution cryo-electron microscopy structure of human NKCC1 in the substrate-loaded (Na⁺ , K⁺ , and 2 Cl^- ) and occluded, inward-facing state that has also been observed for the SLC6-type transporters MhsT and LeuT. Cl^- binding at the Cl1 site together with the nearby K⁺ ion provides a crucial bridge between the LeuT-fold scaffold and bundle domains. Cl^- -ion binding at the Cl2 site seems to undertake a structural role similar to conserved glutamate of SLC6 transporters and may allow for Cl^- -sensitive regulation of transport. Supported by functional studies in mammalian cells and computational simulations, we describe a putative Na⁺ release pathway along transmembrane helix 5 coupled to the Cl2 site. The results provide insight into the structure-function relationship of NKCC1 with broader implications for other SLC12 family members.

Root-Specific Expression of Vitis vinifera VviNPF2.2 Modulates Shoot Anion Concentration in Transgenic Arabidopsis

Grapevines (Vitis vinifera L., Vvi) on their roots are generally sensitive to salt-forming ions, particularly chloride (Cl-) when grown in saline environments. Grafting V. vinifera scions to Cl--excluding hybrid rootstocks reduces the impact of salinity. Molecular components underlying Cl--exclusion in Vitis species remain largely unknown, however, various anion channels and transporters represent good candidates for controlling this trait. Here, two nitrate/peptide transporter family (NPF) members VviNPF2.1 and VviNPF2.2 were isolated. Both highly homologous proteins localized to the plasma membrane of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) protoplasts. Both were expressed primarily in grapevine roots and leaves and were more abundant in a Cl--excluding rootstock compared to a Cl--includer. Quantitative PCR of grapevine roots revealed that VviNPF2.1 and 2.2 expression was downregulated by high [NO3 -] resupply post-starvation, but not affected by 25 mM Cl-. VviNPF2.2 was functionally characterized using an Arabidopsis enhancer trap line as a heterologous host which enabled cell-type-specific expression. Constitutive expression of VviNPF2.2 exclusively in the root epidermis and cortex reduced shoot [Cl-] after a 75 mM NaCl treatment. Higher expression levels of VviNPF2.2 correlated with reduced Arabidopsis xylem sap [NO3 -] when not salt stressed. We propose that when expressed in the root epidermis and cortex, VviNPF2.2 could function in passive anion efflux from root cells, which reduces the symplasmic Cl- available for root-to-shoot translocation. VviNPF2.2, through its role in the root epidermis and cortex, could, therefore, be beneficial to plants under salt stress by reducing net shoot Cl- accumulation.

Unravelling the physiological basis of salinity stress tolerance in cultivated and wild rice species

Wild rice species provide a rich source of genetic diversity for possible introgression of salinity stress tolerance in cultivated rice. We investigated the physiological basis of salinity stress tolerance in Oryza species by using six rice genotypes (Oryza sativa L.) and four wild rice species. Three weeks of salinity treatment significantly (P <0.05) reduced physiological and growth indices of all cultivated and wild rice lines. However, the impact of salinity-induced growth reduction differed substantially among accessions. Salt tolerant accessions showed better control over gas exchange properties, exhibited higher tissue tolerance, and retained higher potassium ion content despite higher sodium ion accumulation in leaves. Wild rice species showed relatively lower and steadier xylem sap sodium ion content over the period of 3weeks analysed, suggesting better control over ionic sodium xylem loading and its delivery to shoots with efficient vacuolar sodium ion sequestration. Contrary to this, saline sensitive genotypes managed to avoid initial Na+ loading but failed to accomplish this in the long term and showed higher sap sodium ion content. Conclusively, our results suggest that wild rice genotypes have more efficient control over xylem sodium ion loading, rely on tissue tolerance mechanisms and allow for a rapid osmotic adjustment by using sodium ions as cheap osmoticum for osmoregulation.

Plant Trans-Golgi Network/Early Endosome pH regulation requires Cation Chloride Cotransporter (CCC1)

Plant cells maintain a low luminal pH in the trans-Golgi-network/early endosome (TGN/EE), the organelle in which the secretory and endocytic pathways intersect. Impaired TGN/EE pH regulation translates into severe plant growth defects. The identity of the proton pump and proton/ion antiporters that regulate TGN/EE pH have been determined, but an essential component required to complete the TGN/EE membrane transport circuit remains unidentified − a pathway for cation and anion efflux. Here, we have used complementation, genetically encoded fluorescent sensors, and pharmacological treatments to demonstrate that Arabidopsis cation chloride cotransporter (CCC1) is this missing component necessary for regulating TGN/EE pH and function. Loss of CCC1 function leads to alterations in TGN/EE-mediated processes including endocytic trafficking, exocytosis, and response to abiotic stress, consistent with the multitude of phenotypic defects observed in ccc1 knockout plants. This discovery places CCC1 as a central component of plant cellular function.

To exclude or to accumulate? Revealing the role of the sodium HKT1;5 transporter in plant adaptive responses to varying soil salinity

Arid/semi-arid and coastal agricultural areas of the world are especially vulnerable to climate change-driven soil salinity. Salinity tolerance in plants is a complex trait, with salinity negatively affecting crop yield. Plants adopt a range of mechanisms to combat salinity, with many transporter genes being implicated in Na⁺-partitioning processes. Within these, the high-affinity K⁺ (HKT) family of transporters play a critical role in K⁺ and Na⁺ homeostasis in plants. Among HKT transporters, Type I transporters are Na⁺-specific. While Arabidopsis has only one Na ⁺ -specific HKT (AtHKT1;1), cereal crops have a multiplicity of Type I and II HKT transporters. AtHKT1; 1 (Arabidopsis thaliana) and HKT1; 5 (cereal crops) 'exclude' Na⁺ from the xylem into xylem parenchyma in the root, reducing shoot Na⁺ and hence, confer sodium tolerance. However, more recent data from Arabidopsis and crop species show that AtHKT1;1/HKT1;5 alleles have a strong genetic association with 'shoot sodium accumulation' and concomitant salt tolerance. The review tries to resolve these two seemingly contradictory effects of AtHKT1;1/HKT1;5 operation (shoot exclusion vs shoot accumulation), both conferring salinity tolerance and suggests that contrasting phenotypes are attributable to either hyper-functional or weak AtHKT1;1/HKT1;5 alleles/haplotypes and are under strong selection by soil salinity levels. It also suggests that opposite balancing mechanisms involving xylem ion loading in these contrasting phenotypes exist that require transporters such as SOS1 and CCC. While HKT1; 5 is a crucial but not sole determinant of salinity tolerance, investigation of the adaptive benefit(s) conferred by naturally occurring intermediate HKT1;5 alleles will be important under a climate change scenario.

Colorful and facile in situ nanosilver coating on sisal/cotton interwoven fabrics mediated from European larch heartwood

This study reports on a novel coloration approach for sisal/cotton interwoven fabric via in situ synthesis of European larch (Larix decidua) heartwood-anchored sustainable nanosilver. The heartwood extracts functioned as the reducing and stabilizing agent in reaction systems. The deposited silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) over the fabric surfaces displayed brilliant coloration effects with improved fastness ratings and color strengths (K/S). The successful depositions of nanosilvers were quantified and increasing trends in K/S values with the increase in silver precursor loading were discovered. The concentrations of AgNPs deposited on fabric surfaces were found to be 16 mg/L, 323 mg/L, and 697 mg/L, which were measured through an iCP OES (atomic absorption spectroscopy) test. The K/S values obtained for different loadings of silver precursors (0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 mM (w/v)) are 2.74, 6.76, and 8.96. Morphological studies of the control and AgNP-treated fabrics also displayed a uniform and homogeneous distribution of AgNPs over the fabric surfaces. FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) studies of the sustainably developed materials further confirms the successful bonding between the fabrics and AgNPs. Furthermore, stability against temperature was also noticed as per TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) and DTG (derivative TG) analysis although there was a slight decline from the control sisal/cotton interwoven fabrics observed. Statistically, regression analysis and ANOVA tests were conducted to understand the significance of increased nanosilver loading on sisal/cotton interwoven fabrics. In summary, the perceived results demonstrated successful coloration and functionalization of sisal/cotton interwoven fabrics through green AgNPs, which could indicate a new milestone for industrial production units.

Post-translational regulation of the membrane transporters contributing to salt tolerance in plants

This review article summarises the role of membrane transporters and their regulatory kinases in minimising the toxicity of Na+ in the plant under salt stress. The salt-tolerant plants keep their cytosolic level of Na+ up to 10-50mM. The first line of action in this context is the generation of proton motive force by the plasma membrane H+-ATPase. The generated proton motive force repolarises the membrane that gets depolarised due to passive uptake of Na+ under salt stress. The proton motive force generated also drives the plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter, SOS1 that effluxes the cytosolic Na+ back into the environment. At the intracellular level, Na+ is sequestered by the vacuole. Vacuolar Na+ uptake is mediated by Na+/H+ antiporter, NHX, driven by the electrochemical gradient for H+, generated by tonoplast H+ pumps, both H+ATPase and PPase. However, it is the expression of the regulatory kinases that make these transporters active through post-translational modification enabling them to effectively manage the cytosolic level of Na+, which is essential for tolerance to salinity in plants. Yet our knowledge of the expression and functioning of the regulatory kinases in plant species differing in tolerance to salinity is scant. Bioinformatics-based identification of the kinases like OsCIPK24 in crop plants, which are mostly salt-sensitive, may enable biotechnological intervention in making the crop cultivar more salt-tolerant, and effectively increasing its annual yield.

Identifying the genetic control of salinity tolerance in the bread wheat landrace Mocho de Espiga Branca

Salinity tolerance in bread wheat is frequently reported to be associated with low leaf sodium (Na+) concentrations. However, the Portuguese landrace, Mocho de Espiga Branca, accumulates significantly higher leaf Na+ but has comparable salinity tolerance to commercial bread wheat cultivars. To determine the genetic loci associated with the salinity tolerance of this landrace, an F2 mapping population was developed by crossing Mocho de Espiga Branca with the Australian cultivar Gladius. The population was phenotyped for 19 salinity tolerance subtraits using both non-destructive and destructive techniques. Genotyping was performed using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). Genomic regions associated with salinity tolerance were detected on chromosomes 1A, 1D, 4B and 5A for the subtraits of relative and absolute growth rate (RGR, AGR respectively), and on chromosome 2A, 2B, 4D and 5D for Na+, potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl-) accumulation. Candidate genes that encode proteins associated with salinity tolerance were identified within the loci including Na+/H+ antiporters, K+ channels, H+-ATPase, calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs), CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs), calcium dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) and calcium-transporting ATPase. This study provides a new insight into the genetic control of salinity tolerance in a Na+ accumulating bread wheat to assist with the future development of salt tolerant cultivars.

Uncovering candidate genes involved in photosynthetic capacity using unexplored genetic variation in Spring Wheat

To feed an ever-increasing population we must leverage advances in genomics and phenotyping to harness the variation in wheat breeding populations for traits like photosynthetic capacity which remains unoptimized. Here we survey a diverse set of wheat germplasm containing elite, introgression and synthetic derivative lines uncovering previously uncharacterized variation. We demonstrate how strategic integration of exotic material alleviates the D genome genetic bottleneck in wheat, increasing SNP rate by 62% largely due to Ae. tauschii synthetic wheat donors. Across the panel, 67% of the Ae. tauschii donor genome is represented as introgressions in elite backgrounds. We show how observed genetic variation together with hyperspectral reflectance data can be used to identify candidate genes for traits relating to photosynthetic capacity using association analysis. This demonstrates the value of genomic methods in uncovering hidden variation in wheat and how that variation can assist breeding efforts and increase our understanding of complex traits.

Potassium physiology from Archean to Holocene: A higher-plant perspective

In this paper, we discuss biological potassium acquisition and utilization processes over an evolutionary timescale, with emphasis on modern vascular plants. The quintessential osmotic and electrical functions of the K⁺ ion are shown to be intimately tied to K⁺-transport systems and membrane energization. Several prominent themes in plant K⁺-transport physiology are explored in greater detail, including: (1) channel mediated K⁺ acquisition by roots at low external [K⁺]; (2) K⁺ loading of root xylem elements by active transport; (3) variations on the theme of K⁺ efflux from root cells to the extracellular environment; (4) the veracity and utility of the "affinity" concept in relation to transport systems. We close with a discussion of the importance of plant-potassium relations to our human world, and current trends in potassium nutrition from farm to table.

Augmenting salt tolerance in rice by regulating uptake and tissue specific accumulation of Na+ - through Ca2+ -induced alteration of biochemical events

The protective effect of Ca²⁺ against NaCl toxicity was investigated in two rice varieties with contrasting for salt tolerance to understand the mechanistic details of the antagonism to address adverse effects of salinity on agriculture. The study primarily examined the influence of Ca²⁺ on expression/activity of the effectors and regulators involved in Na⁺ translocation. Calcium reduced uptake of Na⁺ concomitant with higher tissue K⁺ /Na⁺ in seedlings, comparatively more in salt-tolerant Nona Bokra than in salt-sensitive IR-64, together with a significant increase in root PM H⁺ ATPase in the former, but not in the latter. Increased antagonism in Nona Bokra could be the result of Ca²⁺ signalling-mediated phosphorylation of PM H⁺ ATPase in roots caused by a significant Ca²⁺ -dependent increase in expression of OsCIPK24, which did not occur in IR-64. Furthermore, significant Ca²⁺ -mediated NaCl-induced increase in transcription of 14-3-3 protein in Nona Bokra, but not in IR-64, might also lead to a greater protective effect of Ca²⁺ in the former, as 14-3-3 protein is essential for activating PM H⁺ ATPase. Thus, efficient functioning of PM H⁺ ATPase could be key in determining resistance of plants to salinity, implying that identification of the Ca²⁺ -dependent kinase phosphorylating the PM H⁺ ATPase threonine residue and manipulation of its expression, together with expression of 14-3-3 proteins could be an important strategy to improve salt tolerance of crops and their cultivation in salt-affected lands.

Root hydraulics adjustment is governed by a dominant cell-to-cell pathway in Beta vulgaris seedlings exposed to salt stress

Soil salinity reduces root hydraulic conductivity (L_pr) of several plant species. However, how cellular signaling and root hydraulic properties are linked in plants that can cope with water restriction remains unclear. In this work, we exposed the halotolerant species red beet (Beta vulgaris) to increasing concentrations of NaCl to determine the components that might be critical to sustaining the capacity to adjust root hydraulics. Our strategy was to use both hydraulic and cellular approaches in hydroponically grown seedlings during the first osmotic phase of salt stress. Interestingly, L_pr presented a bimodal profile response apart from the magnitude of the imposed salt stress. As well as L_pr, the PIP2-aquaporin profile follows an unphosphorylated/phosphorylated pattern when increasing NaCl concentration while PIP1 aquaporins remain constant. L_pr also shows high sensitivity to cycloheximide. In low NaCl concentrations, L_pr was high and 70 % of its capacity could be attributed to the CHX-inhibited cell-to-cell pathway. More interestingly, roots can maintain a constant spontaneous exudated flow that is independent of the applied NaCl concentration. In conclusion, Beta vulgaris root hydraulic adjustment completely lies in a dominant cell-to-cell pathway that contributes to satisfying plant water demands.

New Aspects of Uptake and Metabolism of Non-organic and Organic Iodine Compounds-The Role of Vanadium and Plant-Derived Thyroid Hormone Analogs in Lettuce

The process of uptake and translocation of non-organic iodine (I) ions, I^- and IO₃ ^-, has been relatively well-described in literature. The situation is different for low-molecular-weight organic aromatic I compounds, as data on their uptake or metabolic pathway is only fragmentary. The aim of this study was to determine the process of uptake, transport, and metabolism of I applied to lettuce plants by fertigation as KIO₃, KIO₃ + salicylic acid (KIO₃+SA), and iodosalicylates, 5-iodosalicylic acid (5-ISA) and 3,5-diiodosalicylic acid (3,5-diISA), depending on whether additional fertilization with vanadium (V) was used. Each I compound was applied at a dose of 10 μM, SA at a dose of 10 μM, and V at a dose of 0.1 μM. Three independent 2-year-long experiments were carried out with lettuce; two with pot systems using a peat substrate and mineral soil and one with hydroponic lettuce. The effectiveness of I uptake and translocation from the roots to leaves was as follows: 5-ISA > 3,5-diISA > KIO₃. Iodosalicylates, 5-ISA and 3,5-diISA, were naturally synthesized in plants, similarly to other organic iodine metabolites, i.e., iodotyrosine, as well as plant-derived thyroid hormone analogs (PDTHA), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). T3 and T4 were synthesized in roots with the participation of endogenous and exogenous 5-ISA and 3,5-diISA and then transported to leaves. The level of plant enrichment in I was safe for consumers. Several genes were shown to perform physiological functions, i.e., per64-like, samdmt, msams5, and cipk6.

Novelty and convergence in adaptation to whole genome duplication

Whole genome duplication (WGD) can promote adaptation but is disruptive to conserved processes, especially meiosis. Studies in Arabidopsis arenosa revealed a coordinated evolutionary response to WGD involving interacting proteins controlling meiotic crossovers, which are minimised in an autotetraploid (within-species polyploid) to avoid mis-segregation. Here we test whether this surprising flexibility of a conserved essential process, meiosis, is recapitulated in an independent WGD system, Cardamine amara, 17 million years diverged from A. arenosa. We assess meiotic stability and perform population-based scans for positive selection, contrasting the genomic response to WGD in C. amara with that of A. arenosa. We found in C. amara the strongest selection signals at genes with predicted functions thought important to adaptation to WGD: meiosis, chromosome remodelling, cell cycle, and ion transport. However, genomic responses to WGD in the two species differ: minimal ortholog-level convergence emerged, with none of the meiosis genes found in A. arenosa exhibiting strong signal in C. amara. This is consistent with our observations of lower meiotic stability and occasional clonal spreading in diploid C. amara, suggesting that nascent C. amara autotetraploid lineages were preadapted by their diploid lifestyle to survive while enduring reduced meiotic fidelity. However, in contrast to a lack of ortholog convergence, we see process-level and network convergence in DNA management, chromosome organisation, stress signalling, and ion homeostasis processes. This gives the first insight into the salient adaptations required to meet the challenges of a WGD state and shows that autopolyploids can utilize multiple evolutionary trajectories to adapt to WGD.

Rice Potassium Transporter OsHAK8 Mediates K+ Uptake and Translocation in Response to Low K+ Stress

Potassium (K⁺) levels in the soil often limit plant growth and development. As a result, crop production largely relies on the heavy use of chemical fertilizers, presenting a challenging problem in sustainable agriculture. To breed crops with higher K⁺-use efficiency (KUE), we must learn how K⁺ is acquired from the soil by the root system and transported to the rest of the plant through K⁺ transporters. In this study, we identified the function of the rice K⁺ transporter OsHAK8, whose expression level is downregulated in response to low-K⁺ stress. When OsHAK8 was disrupted by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis, Oshak8 mutant plants showed stunted growth, especially under low-K⁺ conditions. Ion content analyses indicated that K⁺ uptake and root-to-shoot K⁺ transport were significantly impaired in Oshak8 mutants under low-K⁺ conditions. As the OsHAK8 gene was broadly expressed in different cell types in the roots and its protein was targeted to the plasma membrane, we propose that OsHAK8 serves as a major transporter for both uptake and root-to-shoot translocation in rice plants.

Ammonium aggravates salt stress in plants by entrapping them in a chloride over-accumulation state in an NRT1.1-dependent manner

Global climate change has exacerbated flooding in coastal areas affected by soil salinization. Ammonium (NH₄⁺) is the predominant form of nitrogen in flooded soils, but the role played by NH₄⁺ in the plant response to salt stress has not been fully clarified. We investigated the responses of Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, and Nicotiana benthamiana plants fed with NH₄⁺. All species were hypersensitive to NaCl stress and accumulated more Cl^- and less Na⁺ than those fed with NO₃^-. Further investigation of A. thaliana indicated that salt hypersensitivity induced by the presence of NH₄⁺ was abolished by removing the Cl^- but was not affected by the removal of Na⁺, suggesting that excess accumulation of Cl^- rather than Na⁺ is involved in NH₄⁺-conferred salt hypersensitivity. The expression of nitrate transporter NRT1.1 protein was also up-regulated by NH₄⁺ treatment, which increased root Cl^- uptake due to the Cl^- uptake activity of NRT1.1 and the absence of uptake competition from NO₃^-. Knockout of NRT1.1 in plants decreased their root Cl^- uptake and retracted the NH₄⁺-conferred salt hypersensitivity. Our findings revealed that NH₄⁺-aggravated salt stress in plants is associated with Cl^- over-accumulation through the up-regulation of NRT1.1-mediated Cl^- uptake. These findings suggest the significant impact of Cl^- toxicity in flooded coastal areas, an issue of ecological significance.

Tissue-specific expression analysis of Na+ and Cl- transporter genes associated with salt removal ability in rice leaf sheath

BACKGROUND

A significant mechanism of salt-tolerance in rice is the ability to remove Na⁺ and Cl^- in the leaf sheath, which limits the entry of these toxic ions into the leaf blade. The leaf sheath removes Na⁺ mainly in the basal parts, and Cl^- mainly in the apical parts. These ions are unloaded from the xylem vessels in the peripheral part and sequestered into the fundamental parenchyma cells at the central part of the leaf sheath.

RESULTS

This study aimed to identify associated Na⁺ and Cl^- transporter genes with this salt removal ability in the leaf sheath of rice variety FL 478. From 21 known candidate Na⁺ and Cl^- transporter rice genes, we determined the salt responsiveness of the expression of these genes in the basal and apical parts, where Na⁺ or Cl^- ions were highly accumulated under salinity. We also compared the expression levels of these transporter genes between the peripheral and central parts of leaf sheaths. The expression of 8 Na⁺ transporter genes and 3 Cl^- transporter genes was up-regulated in the basal and apical parts of leaf sheaths under salinity. Within these genes, OsHKT1;5 and OsSLAH1 were expressed highly in the peripheral part, indicating the involvement of these genes in Na⁺ and Cl^- unloading from xylem vessels. OsNHX2, OsNHX3, OsNPF2.4 were expressed highly in the central part, which suggests that these genes may function in sequestration of Na⁺ and Cl^- in fundamental parenchyma cells in the central part of leaf sheaths under salinity. Furthermore, high expression levels of 4 candidate genes under salinity were associated with the genotypic variation of salt removal ability in the leaf sheath.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the salt removal ability in rice leaf sheath may be regulated by expressing various Na⁺ or Cl^- transporter genes tissue-specifically in peripheral and central parts. Moreover, some genes were identified as candidates whose expression levels were associated with the genotypic variation of salt removal ability in the leaf sheath. These findings will enhance the understanding of the molecular mechanism of salt removal ability in rice leaf sheath, which is useful for breeding salt-tolerant rice varieties.

Long-term somatic memory of salinity unveiled from physiological, biochemical and epigenetic responses in two contrasting rice genotypes

Plants are constantly exposed to environmental fluctuations, that may occur in a single day or over longer periods. In many cases, abiotic stresses are transient and recurrent, impacting how plants respond in subsequent adverse conditions. Adaptation mechanisms may occur at the physiological, biochemical and molecular level, modifying transcriptional response, regulatory proteins, epigenetic marks or metabolites. Here, we aimed to uncover the different strategies that rice uses to respond to recurrent stress. We tested varieties with contrasting behavior towards salinity (tolerance or sensitivity) and imposed salt stress (150 mM NaCl) during 48 h at vegetative and/or reproductive stages. After 48 h of stress in reproductive stage, leaves and roots were harvested separately or otherwise the plants were submitted to a 24 h recovery, prior to sample harvesting. Plants submitted to a recurrent stress responded differently from those suffering a single stress event. In the case of the sensitive genotype, recurrent stress led to lower Na/K ratio in roots and lower hydrogen peroxide accumulation and lipid peroxidation in leaves, but maintenance of global DNA methylation levels. In the tolerant genotype, recurrent stress did neither affect the Na/K ratio nor the stomatal conductance, although the levels of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide accumulation were lower, as also observed for global levels of DNA methylation. Our work shows that a short pre-exposure to salt stress may improve rice tolerance to subsequent stress, trough biochemical, physiological and epigenetic processes, with more significant changes visible in the tolerant genotype.

Cadmium accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) alleviated by basal alkaline fertilizers followed by topdressing of manganese fertilizer

Rice is a main source of dietary cadmium (Cd), thus, how to reduce the Cd concentration in brown rice has received extensive attention worldwide. In three acidic paddy soils slightly to moderately contaminated with Cd, a series of field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of different proportions of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) fertilizer (urea, calcium magnesium phosphate, and potassium carbonate, respectively) alone or coupled with a topdressing of manganese (Mn) fertilizer at the tillering stage on reducing Cd bioavailability in soil and uptake in rice. The rational application of N-P-K fertilizer not only provided the basic nutrients to promote the normal growth of rice but also increased soil pH and thereby reduced the Cd bioavailability in soil. The Mg(NO₃)₂-extracted Cd concentrations in the three soils were reduced by 26.46-56.53%, while TCLP-extracted Cd were reduced by 19.87-45.41%, with little influence on soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) and organic matter (OM). The application of Mn fertilizer at the tillering stage increased Mn and Cd sequestration in the iron plaque. The Mn content in iron plaque increased by 15.71-58.67% and a significant positive correlation between Cd and Mn was observed at the three sites. Collectively, this combined method of fertilization significantly reduced Cd accumulation in rice tissues, the Cd concentrations in roots of treated plants decreased by 11.18-37.78%, whereas the concentrations in straw decreased by 13.16-41.03%. Particularly to brown rice, in which accumulation decreased by 25.19-44.70%, 37.35-47.84%, and 38.00-60.88% in three typical paddy fields, but no significant effect was observed for the Cd translocation factors (TF) among rice tissues. Thus, the basal application of combined urea and alkaline inorganic fertilizers followed by topdressing of Mn fertilizer may be a promising and cost-effective tactics for the remediation of Cd-contaminated paddy soils.

Mechanisms of Plant Responses and Adaptation to Soil Salinity

Soil salinity is a major environmental stress that restricts the growth and yield of crops. Understanding the physiological, metabolic, and biochemical responses of plants to salt stress and mining the salt tolerance-associated genetic resource in nature will be extremely important for us to cultivate salt-tolerant crops. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the mechanisms of salt stress responses in plants, including salt stress-triggered physiological responses, oxidative stress, salt stress sensing and signaling pathways, organellar stress, ion homeostasis, hormonal and gene expression regulation, metabolic changes, as well as salt tolerance mechanisms in halophytes. Important questions regarding salt tolerance that need to be addressed in the future are discussed.

Understanding Mechanisms of Salinity Tolerance in Barley by Proteomic and Biochemical Analysis of Near-Isogenic Lines

Salt stress is one of the major environmental factors impairing crop production. In our previous study, we identified a major QTL for salinity tolerance on chromosome 2H on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). For further investigation of the mechanisms responsible for this QTL, two pairs of near-isogenic lines (NILs) differing in this QTL were developed. Sensitive NILs (N33 and N53) showed more severe damage after exposure to 300 mM NaCl than tolerant ones (T46 and T66). Both tolerant NILs maintained significantly lower Na⁺ content in leaves and much higher K⁺ content in the roots than sensitive lines under salt conditions, thus indicating the presence of a more optimal Na⁺/K⁺ ratio in plant tissues. Salinity stress caused significant accumulation of H₂O₂, MDA, and proline in salinity-sensitive NILs, and a greater enhancement in antioxidant enzymatic activities at one specific time or tissues in tolerant lines. One pair of NILs (N33 and T46) were used for proteomic studies using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A total of 53 and 51 differentially expressed proteins were identified through tandem mass spectrometry analysis in the leaves and roots, respectively. Proteins which are associated with photosynthesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, and ATP synthase were found to be specifically upregulated in the tolerant NIL. Proteins identified in this study can serve as a useful resource with which to explore novel candidate genes for salinity tolerance in barley.

Comparing Kinetics of Xylem Ion Loading and Its Regulation in Halophytes and Glycophytes

Although control of xylem ion loading is essential to confer salinity stress tolerance, specific details behind this process remain elusive. In this work, we compared the kinetics of xylem Na+ and K+ loading between two halophytes (Atriplex lentiformis and quinoa) and two glycophyte (pea and beans) species, to understand the mechanistic basis of the above process. Halophyte plants had high initial amounts of Na+ in the leaf, even when grown in the absence of the salt stress. This was matched by 7-fold higher xylem sap Na+ concentration compared with glycophyte plants. Upon salinity exposure, the xylem sap Na+ concentration increased rapidly but transiently in halophytes, while in glycophytes this increase was much delayed. Electrophysiological experiments using the microelectrode ion flux measuring technique showed that glycophyte plants tend to re-absorb Na+ back into the stele, thus reducing xylem Na+ load at the early stages of salinity exposure. The halophyte plants, however, were capable to release Na+ even in the presence of high Na+ concentrations in the xylem. The presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) [mimicking NaCl stress-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in the root] caused a massive Na+ and Ca2+ uptake into the root stele, while triggering a substantial K+ efflux from the cytosol into apoplast in glycophyte but not halophytes species. The peak in H2O2 production was achieved faster in halophytes (30 min vs 4 h) and was attributed to the increased transcript levels of RbohE. Pharmacological data suggested that non-selective cation channels are unlikely to play a major role in ROS-mediated xylem Na+ loading.

Energy costs of salt tolerance in crop plants

Agriculture is expanding into regions that are affected by salinity. This review considers the energetic costs of salinity tolerance in crop plants and provides a framework for a quantitative assessment of costs. Different sources of energy, and modifications of root system architecture that would maximize water vs ion uptake are addressed. Energy requirements for transport of salt (NaCl) to leaf vacuoles for osmotic adjustment could be small if there are no substantial leaks back across plasma membrane and tonoplast in root and leaf. The coupling ratio of the H⁺ -ATPase also is a critical component. One proposed leak, that of Na⁺ influx across the plasma membrane through certain aquaporin channels, might be coupled to water flow, thus conserving energy. For the tonoplast, control of two types of cation channels is required for energy efficiency. Transporters controlling the Na⁺ and Cl^- concentrations in mitochondria and chloroplasts are largely unknown and could be a major energy cost. The complexity of the system will require a sophisticated modelling approach to identify critical transporters, apoplastic barriers and root structures. This modelling approach will inform experimentation and allow a quantitative assessment of the energy costs of NaCl tolerance to guide breeding and engineering of molecular components.

Chloride as a Beneficial Macronutrient in Higher Plants: New Roles and Regulation

Chloride (Cl-) has traditionally been considered a micronutrient largely excluded by plants due to its ubiquity and abundance in nature, its antagonism with nitrate (NO3-), and its toxicity when accumulated at high concentrations. In recent years, there has been a paradigm shift in this regard since Cl- has gone from being considered a harmful ion, accidentally absorbed through NO3- transporters, to being considered a beneficial macronutrient whose transport is finely regulated by plants. As a beneficial macronutrient, Cl- determines increased fresh and dry biomass, greater leaf expansion, increased elongation of leaf and root cells, improved water relations, higher mesophyll diffusion to CO2, and better water- and nitrogen-use efficiency. While optimal growth of plants requires the synchronic supply of both Cl- and NO3- molecules, the NO3-/Cl- plant selectivity varies between species and varieties, and in the same plant it can be modified by environmental cues such as water deficit or salinity. Recently, new genes encoding transporters mediating Cl- influx (ZmNPF6.4 and ZmNPF6.6), Cl- efflux (AtSLAH3 and AtSLAH1), and Cl- compartmentalization (AtDTX33, AtDTX35, AtALMT4, and GsCLC2) have been identified and characterized. These transporters have proven to be highly relevant for nutrition, long-distance transport and compartmentalization of Cl-, as well as for cell turgor regulation and stress tolerance in plants.

Mangroves in the Leaves: Anatomy, Physiology, and Immunity of Epithemal Hydathodes

Hydathodes are organs found on aerial parts of a wide range of plant species that provide almost direct access for several pathogenic microbes to the plant vascular system. Hydathodes are better known as the site of guttation, which is the release of droplets of plant apoplastic fluid to the outer leaf surface. Because these organs are only described through sporadic allusions in the literature, this review aims to provide a comprehensive view of hydathode development, physiology, and immunity by compiling a historic and contemporary bibliography. In particular, we refine the definition of hydathodes.We illustrate their important roles in the maintenance of plant osmotic balance, nutrient retrieval, and exclusion of deleterious chemicals from the xylem sap. Finally, we present our current understanding of the infection of hydathodes by adapted vascular pathogens and the associated plant immune responses.

Molecular and electrophysiological characterization of anion transport in Arabidopsis thaliana pollen reveals regulatory roles for pH, Ca2+ and GABA

We investigated the molecular basis and physiological implications of anion transport during pollen tube (PT) growth in Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0). Patch-clamp whole-cell configuration analysis of pollen grain protoplasts revealed three subpopulations of anionic currents differentially regulated by cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca²⁺ ]_cyt ). We investigated the pollen-expressed proteins AtSLAH3, AtALMT12, AtTMEM16 and AtCCC as the putative anion transporters responsible for these currents. AtCCC-GFP was observed at the shank and AtSLAH3-GFP at the tip and shank of the PT plasma membrane. Both are likely to carry the majority of anion current at negative potentials, as extracellular anionic fluxes measured at the tip of PTs with an anion vibrating probe were significantly lower in slah3^-/- and ccc^-/- mutants, but unaffected in almt12^-/- and tmem16^-/- . We further characterised the effect of pH and GABA by patch clamp. Strong regulation by extracellular pH was observed in the wild-type, but not in tmem16^-/- . Our results are compatible with AtTMEM16 functioning as an anion/H⁺ cotransporter and therefore, as a putative pH sensor. GABA presence: (1) inhibited the overall currents, an effect that is abrogated in the almt12^-/- and (2) reduced the current in AtALMT12 transfected COS-7 cells, strongly suggesting the direct interaction of GABA with AtALMT12. Our data show that AtSLAH3 and AtCCC activity is sufficient to explain the major component of extracellular anion fluxes, and unveils a possible regulatory system linking PT growth modulation by pH, GABA, and [Ca²⁺ ]_cyt through anionic transporters.

Plant Salinity Stress: Many Unanswered Questions Remain

Salinity is a major threat to modern agriculture causing inhibition and impairment of crop growth and development. Here, we not only review recent advances in salinity stress research in plants but also revisit some basic perennial questions that still remain unanswered. In this review, we analyze the physiological, biochemical, and molecular aspects of Na+ and Cl- uptake, sequestration, and transport associated with salinity. We discuss the role and importance of symplastic versus apoplastic pathways for ion uptake and critically evaluate the role of different types of membrane transporters in Na+ and Cl- uptake and intercellular and intracellular ion distribution. Our incomplete knowledge regarding possible mechanisms of salinity sensing by plants is evaluated. Furthermore, a critical evaluation of the mechanisms of ion toxicity leads us to believe that, in contrast to currently held ideas, toxicity only plays a minor role in the cytosol and may be more prevalent in the vacuole. Lastly, the multiple roles of K+ in plant salinity stress are discussed.

Molecular Evolution of the Vacuolar Iron Transporter (VIT) Family Genes in 14 Plant Species

The vacuolar iron transporter (VIT) proteins are involved in the storage and transport of iron. However, the evolution of this gene family in plants is unknown. In this study, I first identified 114 VIT genes in 14 plant species and classified these genes into seven groups by phylogenetic analysis. Conserved gene organization and motif distribution implied conserved function in each group. I also found that tandem duplication, segmental duplication and transposition contributed to the expansion of this gene family. Additionally, several positive selection sites were identified. Divergent expression patterns of soybean VIT genes were further investigated in different development stages and under iron stress. Functional network analysis exhibited 211 physical or functional interactions. The results will provide the basis for further functional studies of the VIT genes in plants.

Lateral Transport of Organic and Inorganic Solutes

Organic (e.g., sugars and amino acids) and inorganic (e.g., K⁺, Na⁺, PO₄2-, and SO₄2-) solutes are transported long-distance throughout plants. Lateral movement of these compounds between the xylem and the phloem, and vice versa, has also been reported in several plant species since the 1930s, and is believed to be important in the overall resource allocation. Studies of Arabidopsis thaliana have provided us with a better knowledge of the anatomical framework in which the lateral transport takes place, and have highlighted the role of specialized vascular and perivascular cells as an interface for solute exchanges. Important breakthroughs have also been made, mainly in Arabidopsis, in identifying some of the proteins involved in the cell-to-cell translocation of solutes, most notably a range of plasma membrane transporters that act in different cell types. Finally, in the future, state-of-art imaging techniques should help to better characterize the lateral transport of these compounds on a cellular level. This review brings the lateral transport of sugars and inorganic solutes back into focus and highlights its importance in terms of our overall understanding of plant resource allocation.

The Importance of Cl- Exclusion and Vacuolar Cl- Sequestration: Revisiting the Role of Cl- Transport in Plant Salt Tolerance

Salinity threatens agricultural production systems across the globe. While the major focus of plant researchers working in the field of salinity stress tolerance has always been on sodium and potassium, the transport patterns and physiological roles of Cl^- in plant salt stress responses are studied much less. In recent years, the role of Cl^- in plant salinity stress tolerance has been revisited and has received more attention. This review attempts to address the gap in knowledge of the role of Cl^- transport in plant salinity stress tolerance. Cl^- transport, Cl^- exclusion, vacuolar Cl^- sequestration, the specificity of mechanisms employed in different plant species to control shoot Cl^- accumulation, and the identity of channels and transporters involved in Cl^- transport in salt stressed plants are discussed. The importance of the electrochemical gradient across the tonoplast, for vacuolar Cl^- sequestration, is highlighted. The toxicity of Cl^- from CaCl₂ is briefly reviewed separately to that of Cl^- from NaCl.

An early ABA-induced stomatal closure, Na+ sequestration in leaf vein and K+ retention in mesophyll confer salt tissue tolerance in Cucurbita species

Tissue tolerance to salinity stress is a complex physiological trait composed of multiple 'sub-traits' such as Na+ compartmentalization, K+ retention, and osmotic tolerance. Previous studies have shown that some Cucurbita species employ tissue tolerance to combat salinity and we aimed to identify the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved. Five C. maxima (salt-tolerant) and five C. moschata (salt-sensitive) genotypes were comprehensively assessed for their salt tolerance mechanisms and the results showed that tissue-specific transport characteristics enabled the more tolerant lines to deal with the salt load. This mechanism was associated with the ability of the tolerant species to accumulate more Na+ in the leaf vein and to retain more K+ in the leaf mesophyll. In addition, C. maxima more efficiently retained K+ in the roots when exposed to transient NaCl stress and it was also able to store more Na+ in the xylem parenchyma and cortex in the leaf vein. Compared with C. moschata, C. maxima was also able to rapidly close stomata at early stages of salt stress, thus avoiding water loss; this difference was attributed to higher accumulation of ABA in the leaf. Transcriptome and qRT-PCR analyses revealed critical roles of high-affinity potassium (HKT1) and intracellular Na+/H+ (NHX4/6) transporters as components of the mechanism enabling Na+ exclusion from the leaf mesophyll and Na+ sequestration in the leaf vein. Also essential was a higher expression of NCED3s (encoding 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase, a key rate-limiting enzyme in ABA biosynthesis), which resulted in greater ABA accumulation in the mesophyll and earlier stomata closure in C. maxima.

Comparison of leaf transcriptomes of cassava "Xinxuan 048" diploid and autotetraploid plants

Polyploidy breeding of cassava has been used to improve cassava traits over the past years. We previously reported in vitro induction of tetraploids in the cassava variety "Xinxuan 048" using colchicine. Significant differences in morphology and anatomy were found between the diploid and tetraploid plants. However, very little is known about the transcriptome difference between them. In this study, morphological and physiological characteristics including leaf thickness, plant height, internode length, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic capacity were measured. Further, we investigated and validated the difference in gene expression patterns between cassava "Xinxuan 048" tetraploid genotype and its diploid plants using RNA sequencing (RNAseq) and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Significant differences in morphology and physiology were observed during tetraploidization. A comparison revealed that tetraploidy induced very limited changes in the leaf transcriptomes of cassava "Xinxuan 048" diploid and autotetraploid plants. However, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between 2× and 4× plants, especially those upregulated in 4× plants, were strongly associated with hormonal and stress responses. Large changes in morphology and physiology between the diploid cassava "Xinxuan 048" and its autotetraploid were not associated with large changes in their leaf transcriptomes. Moreover, the differently expressed genes related to the regulation of gibberellin and brassinosteroids potentially explained why the plant height and internode length of 4× plants became shorter. Collectively, our results suggest that 4× cassava is potentially valuable for breeding strains with improved stress resistance.

Chloride: from Nutrient to Toxicant

In salinized soils in which chloride (Cl-) is the dominant salt anion, growth of plants that tolerate only low concentrations of salt (glycophytes) is disturbed by Cl- toxicity. Chlorotic discolorations precede necrotic lesions, causing yield reductions. Little is known about the effects of Cl- toxicity on these dysfunctions. A lack of understanding exists regarding (i) the molecular and physiological mechanisms that lead to Cl--induced damage and (ii) the adaptive aspects of induced tolerance to Cl- salinity. Here, mechanistic explanations for the Cl--induced stress responses are proposed and novel ideas and strategies by which glycophytic plants avoid the excessive accumulation of Cl- are reviewed. New experiments are suggested to test the proposed hypotheses. Cl- salinity constrains global food security and thus we urgently need more research into the causes and consequences of Cl- salinity.

Plant Cation-Chloride Cotransporters (CCC): Evolutionary Origins and Functional Insights

Genomes of unicellular and multicellular green algae, mosses, grasses and dicots harbor genes encoding cation-chloride cotransporters (CCC). CCC proteins from the plant kingdom have been comparatively less well investigated than their animal counterparts, but proteins from both plants and animals have been shown to mediate ion fluxes, and are involved in regulation of osmotic processes. In this review, we show that CCC proteins from plants form two distinct phylogenetic clades (CCC1 and CCC2). Some lycophytes and bryophytes possess members from each clade, most land plants only have members of the CCC1 clade, and green algae possess only the CCC2 clade. It is currently unknown whether CCC1 and CCC2 proteins have similar or distinct functions, however they are both more closely related to animal KCC proteins compared to NKCCs. Existing heterologous expression systems that have been used to functionally characterize plant CCC proteins, namely yeast and Xenopus laevis oocytes, have limitations that are discussed. Studies from plants exposed to chemical inhibitors of animal CCC protein function are reviewed for their potential to discern CCC function in planta. Thus far, mutations in plant CCC genes have been evaluated only in two species of angiosperms, and such mutations cause a diverse array of phenotypes-seemingly more than could simply be explained by localized disruption of ion transport alone. We evaluate the putative roles of plant CCC proteins and suggest areas for future investigation.

Physiological and molecular mechanisms mediating xylem Na+ loading in barley in the context of salinity stress tolerance

Time-dependent kinetics of xylem Na⁺ loading was investigated using a large number of barley genotypes contrasting in their salinity tolerance. Salt-sensitive varieties were less efficient in controlling xylem Na⁺ loading and showed a gradual increase in the xylem Na⁺ content over the time. To understand underlying ionic and molecular mechanisms, net fluxes of Ca²⁺ , K⁺ and Na⁺ were measured from the xylem parenchyma tissue in response to H₂ O₂ and ABA; both of them associated with salinity stress signalling. Our results indicate that NADPH oxidase-mediated apoplastic H₂ O₂ production acts upstream of the xylem Na⁺ loading and is causally related to ROS-inducible Ca²⁺ uptake systems in the root stelar tissue. It was also found that ABA regulates (directly or indirectly) the process of Na⁺ retrieval from the xylem and the significant reduction of Na⁺ and K⁺ fluxes induced by bumetanide are indicative of a major role of chloride cation co-transporter (CCC) on xylem ion loading. Transcript levels of HvHKT1;5_like and HvSOS1_like genes in the root stele were observed to decrease after salt stress, while there was an increase in HvSKOR_like gene, indicating that these ion transporters are involved in primary Na⁺ /K⁺ movement into/out of xylem.

Molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of two cation chloride cotransporter subfamily members of Hydra vulgaris

Cation Chloride Cotransporters (CCCs) comprise secondary active membrane proteins mainly mediating the symport of cations (Na⁺, K⁺) coupled with chloride (Cl⁻). They are divided into K⁺-Cl⁻ outward transporters (KCCs), the Na⁺-K⁺-Cl⁻ (NKCCs) and Na⁺-Cl⁻ (NCCs) inward transporters, the cation chloride cotransporter interacting protein CIP1, and the polyamine transporter CCC9. KCCs and N(K)CCs are established in the genome since eukaryotes and metazoans, respectively. Most of the physiological and functional data were obtained from vertebrate species. To get insights into the basal functional properties of KCCs and N(K)CCs in the metazoan lineage, we cloned and characterized KCC and N(K)CC from the cnidarian Hydra vulgaris. HvKCC is composed of 1,032 amino-acid residues. Functional analyses revealed that hvKCC mediates a Na⁺-independent, Cl⁻ and K⁺ (Tl⁺)-dependent cotransport. The classification of hvKCC as a functional K-Cl cotransporter is furthermore supported by phylogenetic analyses and a similar structural organization. Interestingly, recently obtained physiological analyses indicate a role of cnidarian KCCs in hyposmotic volume regulation of nematocytes. HvN(K)CC is composed of 965 amino-acid residues. Phylogenetic analyses and structural organization suggest that hvN(K)CC is a member of the N(K)CC subfamily. However, no inorganic ion cotransport function could be detected using different buffer conditions. Thus, hvN(K)CC is a N(K)CC subfamily member without a detectable inorganic ion cotransporter function. Taken together, the data identify two non-bilaterian solute carrier 12 (SLC12) gene family members, thereby paving the way for a better understanding of the evolutionary paths of this important cotransporter family.

Transport and homeostasis of potassium and phosphate: limiting factors for sustainable crop production

Potassium (K) and phosphate (Pi) are both macronutrients essential for plant growth and crop production, but the unrenewable resources of phosphorus rock and potash have become limiting factors for food security. One critical measure to help solve this problem is to improve nutrient use efficiency (NUE) in plants by understanding and engineering genetic networks for ion uptake, translocation, and storage. Plants have evolved multiple systems to adapt to various nutrient conditions for growth and production. Within the NUE networks, transport proteins and their regulators are the primary players for maintaining nutrient homeostasis and could be utilized to engineer high NUE traits in crop plants. A large number of publications have detailed K+ and Pi transport proteins in plants over the past three decades. Meanwhile, the discovery and validation of their regulatory mechanisms are fast-track topics for research. Here, we provide an overview of K+ and Pi transport proteins and their regulatory mechanisms, which participate in the uptake, translocation, storage, and recycling of these nutrients in plants.