PJB-2021-559
Evaluation of salt and drought tolerances of Populus talassica × Populus euphratica seedlings using leaf anatomical structures and physiological processes
Yang Sun, Ying Liu, Meng Xu Su, Zhan Jiang Han and Jian Yin Shi
Abstract
The salt- and drought-tolerance levels of potted Populus talassica × Populus euphratica seedlings were studied under different NaCl concentrations and simulated natural drought conditions, with P. euphratica (male parent) and Populus pruinosa seedlings as controls. Compared with those of the controls, the leaves of P. talassica × P. euphratica began to thicken at low and medium NaCl concentrations (200–300 mmol/L), the relative conductivity and of malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased less, the cell membrane damage to P. talassica× P. euphratica was less, and the soluble substance (free proline, soluble sugar and soluble protein) contents increased significantly. The reactive oxygen species free radicals were removed by increasing the superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase activities. At high NaCl concentrations (350–450 mmol/L) compared with lower NaCl concentrations, the leaves of P. talassica × P. euphratica were small and thick, the relative conductivity and MDA content increased significantly, the cell membrane damage was more serious, and the three antioxidant enzyme activity levels decreased significantly. The osmotic regulatory capability was improved by increasing the contents of three soluble substances. Under drought conditions compared with normal conditions, the leaf thickness of P. talassica × P. euphratica was basically unchanged, and the relative conductivity and MDA content increased significantly. The seedlings adapted to and resisted the drought environment by increasing the superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase activities, as well as the osmotic regulator, such as proline, soluble sugar and soluble protein, contents. In the control experiment, the leaf anatomical results for the three tree species were basically consistent with the changes in physiological and biochemical indexes caused by a high saline or arid environment. A comprehensive evaluation of the salt and drought tolerance levels of P. talassica × P. euphratica, P. euphratica and P. pruinosa was performed using the fuzzy mathematics membership function method, which revealed that the salt and drought tolerance levels of the species were both: P. euphratica > P. talassica × P. euphratica > P. pruinosa. The P. talassica × P. euphratica seedlings showed strong salt and drought tolerance levels, making them suitable for planting in the saline and arid lands of the Tarim Basin
To Cite this article:
Sun, Y., Y. Liu, M.X. Su, Z.J. Han and J.Y. Shi. 2023. Evaluation of salt and drought tolerances of Populus talassica × Populus euphratica seedlings using leaf anatomical structures and physiological processes. Pak. J. Bot., 55(4): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2023-4(4)
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