Register      Login
Functional Plant Biology Functional Plant Biology Society
Plant function and evolutionary biology
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > FP > FP23031
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 51(1)

Effect of salt, alkali and combined stresses on root system architecture and ion profiling in a diverse panel of oat (Avena spp.)

Shahid Ahmed A , Richa Patel A , Maneet Rana A , Neeraj Kumar A , Indu I A , Mukesh Choudhary A , Subhash Chand A , Amit Kumar Singh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2166-141X A , Avijit Ghosh A and Rajesh Kumar Singhal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2685-6299 A *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A ICAR-IGFRI (Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Grassland and Forage Research Institute), Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh 284003, India.

* Correspondence to: rajasinghal151@gmail.com

Handling Editor: Muhammad Waseem

Functional Plant Biology 51, FP23031 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP23031
Submitted: 14 February 2023  Accepted: 4 September 2023  Published: 25 September 2023

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

The co-occurrence of salinisation and alkalisation is quite frequent in problematic soils and poses an immediate threat to food, feed and nutritional security. In the present study, root system architectural traits (RSAs) and ion profiling were evaluated in 21 genotypes of Avena species to understand the effect of salinity–alkalinity stress. The oat genotypes were grown on germination paper and 5-day-old seedlings were transferred to a hydroponic system for up to 30 days. These seedlings were subjected to seven treatments: T0, treatment control (Hoagland solution); T1, moderate salinity (50 mM); T2, high salinity (100 mM); T3, moderate alkalinity (15 mM); T4, high alkalinity (30 mM); T5, combined moderate salinity–alkalinity (50 mM + 15 mM);  and T6, combined high salinity–alkalinity (100 mM and 30 mM) by using NaCl + Na2SO4 (saline) and NaHCO3 + Na2CO3 (alkaline) salts equivalently. The root traits, such as total root area (TRA), total root length (TRL), total root diameter (TRD), total root volume (TRV), root tips (RT), root segments (RS), root fork (RF) and root biomass (RB) were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.01) among the different genotypes, treatments and their interactions. Na+ and K+ content analysis in root and shoot tissues revealed the ion homeostasis capacity of different Avena accessions under stress treatments. Principal component analysis (PCA) covered almost 83.0% of genetic variation and revealed that the sharing of TRA, RT, RS and RF traits was significantly high. Biplot analysis showed a highly significant correlation matrix (P < 0.01) between the pairs of RT and RS, TRL and RS, and RT and RF. Based on PCA ranking and relative value for stress tolerance, IG-20-1183, IG-20-894, IG-20-718 and IG-20-425 expressed tolerance to salinity (T2), IG-20-425 (alkalinity; T4) and IG-20-1183, IG-20-894 and IG-20-1004 were tolerant to salt–alkali treatment (T6). Multi-trait stability index (MTSI) analysis identified three stable oat genotypes (IG-20-714, IG-20-894 and IG-20-425) under multiple environments and these lines can be used in salinity–alkalinity affected areas after yield trials or as donor lines for combined stresses in future breeding programs.

Keywords: climate change, combined abiotic stresses, ion profiling, problematic soils, root anatomy, root-system architecture, salinity–alkalinity, stress tolerances.

References

Acikbas S, Ozyazici MA, Bektas H (2021) The effect of salinity on root architecture in forage pea (Pisum sativum ssp. arvense L.). Legume Research - An International Journal 44(4), 407-412.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Ahmed S, Patel R, Singhal RK, Kumar N, Rana M, Indu I, Chand S, Chandra A (2023) Salinity, alkalinity and their combined stress effects on germination and seedling growth attributes in oats (Avena sativa). Crop and Pasture Science
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Arif MR, Islam MT, Robin AHK (2019) Salinity stress alters root morphology and root hair traits in Brassica napus. Plants 8(7), 192.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Azevedo Neto ADd, Prisco JT, Enéas-Filho J, Lacerda CFd, Silva JV, Costa PHAd, Gomes-Filho E (2004) Effects of salt stress on plant growth, stomatal response and solute accumulation of different maize genotypes. Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology 16, 31-38.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Bai J, Yan W, Wang Y, Yin Q, Liu J, Wight C, Ma B (2018) Screening oat genotypes for tolerance to salinity and alkalinity. Frontiers in Plant Science 9, 1302.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Bhargava BS, Raghupathi HB (1993) Analysis of plant materials for macro and micronutrients. In ‘Methods of analysis of soils, plants, water and fertilisers’. (Ed. HLS Tandon) pp. 49–82. (Fertiliser Development and Consultation Organisation: New Delhi, India)

Cabot C, Sibole JV, Barceló J, Poschenrieder C (2014) Lessons from crop plants struggling with salinity. Plant Science 226, 2-13.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Chen O, Mah E, Dioum E, Marwaha A, Shanmugam S, Malleshi N, Sudha V, Gayathri R, Unnikrishnan R, Anjana RM, Krishnaswamy K, Mohan V, Chu Y (2021) The role of oat nutrients in the immune system: a narrative review. Nutrients 13(4), 1048.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Chuamnakthong S, Nampei M, Ueda A (2019) Characterization of Na+ exclusion mechanism in rice under saline-alkaline stress conditions. Plant Science 287, 110171.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Dehghan-Harati Z, Mahdavi B, Hashemi S-E (2022) Ion contents, physiological characteristics and growth of Carum copticum as influenced by salinity and alkalinity stresses. Biologia Futura 73(3), 301-308.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Dey P, Datta D, Pattnaik D, Dash D, Saha D, Panda D, Bhatta BB, Parida S, Mishra UN, Chauhan J, Pandey H, Singhal RK (2022) Physiological, biochemical, and molecular adaptation mechanisms of photosynthesis and respiration under challenging environments. In ‘Plant perspectives to global climate changes’. (Eds T Aftab, A Roychoudhury) pp. 79–100. (Academic Press: London, UK)

Galvan-Ampudia CS, Testerink C (2011) Salt stress signals shape the plant root. Current Opinion in Plant Biology 14(3), 296-302.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Geng L, Tong G, Jiang H, Xu W (2016) Effect of salinity and alkalinity on Luciobarbus capito gill Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme activity, plasma ion concentration, and osmotic pressure. BioMed Research International 2016, 4605839.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Indu, Lal D, Dadrwal BK, Saha D, Chand S, Chauhan J, Dey P, Kumar V, Mishra UN, Hidangmayum A, Singh A, Singhal RK (2021) Molecular advances in plant root system architecture response and redesigning for improved performance under unfavorable environments. In ‘Frontiers in plant–soil interaction: molecular insights into plant adaptation’. (Eds T Aftab, KR Hakeem) pp. 49–82. (Academic Press: London, UK)

Indu I, Mehta BK, Shashikumara P, Gupta G, Dikshit N, Chand S, Yadav PK, Ahmed S, Singhal RK (2022) Forage crops: a repository of functional trait diversity for current and future climate adaptation. Crop & Pasture Science
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Javid M, Ford R, Norton RM, Nicolas ME (2014) Sodium and boron exclusion in two Brassica juncea cultivars exposed to the combined treatments of salinity and boron at moderate alkalinity. Biologia 69(9), 1157-1163.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Jia Z, Liu Y, Gruber BD, Neumann K, Kilian B, Graner A, von Wirén N (2019) Genetic dissection of root system architectural traits in spring barley. Frontiers in Plant Science 10, 400.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Karlova R, Boer D, Hayes S, Testerink C (2021) Root plasticity under abiotic stress. Plant Physiology 187(3), 1057-1070.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Kawa D, Julkowska MM, Sommerfeld HM, ter Horst A, Haring MA, Testerink C (2016) Phosphate-dependent root system architecture responses to salt stress. Plant Physiology 172(2), 690-706.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Koevoets IT, Venema JH, Elzenga JTM, Testerink C (2016) Roots withstanding their environment: exploiting root system architecture responses to abiotic stress to improve crop tolerance. Frontiers in Plant Science 7, 1335.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Krishnamurthy P, Jyothi-Prakash PA, Qin L, He J, Lin Q, LOH C-S, Kumar PP (2014) Role of root hydrophobic barriers in salt exclusion of a mangrove plant Avicennia officinalis. Plant, Cell & Environment 37(7), 1656-1671.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Kumar N, Anuragi H, Rana M, Priyadarshini P, Singhal R, Chand S, Sood VK, Singh S, Ahmed S (2021) Elucidating morpho-anatomical, physio-biochemical and molecular mechanism imparting salinity tolerance in oats (Avena sativa). Plant Breeding 140(5), 835-850.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Li H, Testerink C, Zhang Y (2021a) How roots and shoots communicate through stressful times. Trends in Plant Science 26(9), 940-952.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Li P, Yang X, Wang H, Pan T, Wang Y, Xu Y, Xu C, Yang Z (2021b) Genetic control of root plasticity in response to salt stress in maize. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 134, 1475-1492.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Ma B-L, Zheng Z, Ren C (2021) Oat. In ‘Crop physiology case histories for major crops’. (Eds VO Sadras, DF Calderini) pp. 222–248. (Academic Press: London, UK)

Monda K, Araki H, Kuhara S, Ishigaki G, Akashi R, Negi J, Iba K (2016) Enhanced stomatal conductance by a spontaneous Arabidopsis tetraploid, Me-0, results from increased stomatal size and greater stomatal aperture. Plant Physiology 170(3), 1435-1444.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Paz RC, Rocco RA, Reinoso H, Menéndez AB, Pieckenstain FL, Ruiz OA (2012) Comparative study of alkaline, saline, and mixed saline–alkaline stresses with regard to their effects on growth, nutrient accumulation, and root morphology of Lotus tenuis. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation 31(3), 448-459.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Pessarakli M, Szabolcs I (2019) Soil salinity and sodicity as particular plant/crop stress factors. In ‘Handbook of plant and crop stress’. 4th edn. (Ed. M Pessarakli) pp. 3–21. (CRC press: Boca Raton, FL, USA)

Rengasamy P, de Lacerda CF, Gheyi HR (2022) Salinity, sodicity and alkalinity. In ‘Subsoil constraints for crop production’. (Eds TSd Oliveira, RW Bell) pp. 83–107. (Springer: Cham, Switzerland)

Sabagh AE, Mbarki S, Hossain A, Iqbal MA, Islam MS, Raza A, Llanes A, Reginato M, Rahman MA, Mahboob W, Singhal RK, et al. (2021) Potential role of plant growth regulators in administering crucial processes against abiotic stresses. Frontiers in Agronomy 3, 648694.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Sadaqat Shah S, Li Z, Yan H, Shi L, Zhou B (2020) Comparative study of the effects of salinity on growth, gas exchange, n accumulation and stable isotope signatures of forage oat (Avena sativa l.) genotypes. Plants 9(8), 1025.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Safitri H, Purwoko BS, Dewi IS, Ardie SW (2018) Salinity tolerance of several rice genotypes at seedling stage. Indonesian Journal of Agricultural Science 18(2), 63-68.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Santos-Medellín C, Edwards J, Liechty Z, Nguyen B, Sundaresan V (2017) Drought stress results in a compartment-specific restructuring of the rice root-associated microbiomes. mBio 8(4), e00764–17.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Shabbir R, Singhal RK, Mishra UN, Chauhan J, Javed T, Hussain S, Kumar S, Anuragi H, Lal D, Chen P (2022) Combined abiotic stresses: challenges and potential for crop improvement. Agronomy 12(11), 2795.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Shahid SA, Zaman M, Heng L (2018) Soil salinity: historical perspectives and a world overview of the problem. In ‘Guideline for salinity assessment, mitigation and adaptation using nuclear and related techniques’. (Eds M Zaman, SA Shahid, L Heng) pp. 43–53. (Springer: Cham, Switzerland)

Sheoran OP, Tonk DS, Kaushik LS, Hasija RC, Pannu RS (1998) Statistical software package for agricultural research workers. In ‘Recent advances in information theory, statistics & computer applications’. (Eds DS Hooda, RC Hasija) pp. 139–143. (Department of Mathematics Statistics, CCS HAU: Hisar, India)

Siao W, Coskun D, Baluška F, Kronzucker HJ, Xu W (2020) Root-apex proton fluxes at the centre of soil-stress acclimation. Trends in Plant Science 25(8), 794-804.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Singhal RK, Saha D, Skalicky M, Mishra UN, Chauhan J, Behera LP, Lenka D, Chand S, Kumar V, Dey P, Indu , Pandey S, Vachova P, Gupta A, Brestic M, El Sabagh A (2021) Crucial cell signaling compounds crosstalk and integrative multi-omics techniques for salinity stress tolerance in plants. Frontiers in Plant Science 12, 670369.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Singhal RK, Chand S, Rana M, Indu , Priyadarshini P, Roy AK, Kumar N, Ahmed S (2022) Propensity of diversified Avena for potential yield attributes under abiding analogous weather conditions. Range Management and Agroforestry 43(1), 33-40.
| Google Scholar |

Smolko A, Bauer N, Pavlović I, Pěnčík A, Novák O, Salopek-Sondi B (2021) Altered root growth, auxin metabolism and distribution in Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to salt and osmotic stress. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22(15), 7993.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Sun J, He L, Li T (2019) Response of seedling growth and physiology of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench to saline-alkali stress. PLoS ONE 14(7), e0220340.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Tajima R (2021) Importance of individual root traits to understand crop root system in agronomic and environmental contexts. Breeding Science 71(1), 13-19.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Wang J, Zhang Y, Yan X, Guo J (2020) Physiological and transcriptomic analyses of yellow horn (Xanthoceras sorbifolia) provide important insights into salt and saline-alkali stress tolerance. PLoS ONE 15(12), e0244365.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Wei L-X, Lv B-S, Li X-W, Wang M-M, Ma H-Y, Yang H-Y, Yang R-F, Piao Z-Z, Wang Z-H, Lou J-H, Jiang C-J, Liang Z-W (2017) Priming of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings with abscisic acid enhances seedling survival, plant growth, and grain yield in saline-alkaline paddy fields. Field Crops Research 203, 86-93.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Welch RW (Ed.) (2012) ‘The oat crop: production and utilization.’ (Springer Science & Business Media: Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Xu J, Yang J, Xu Z, Zhao D, Hu X (2020) Exogenous spermine-induced expression of SlSPMS gene improves salinity–alkalinity stress tolerance by regulating the antioxidant enzyme system and ion homeostasis in tomato. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 157, 79-92.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Zhang M-X, Bai R, Nan M, Ren W, Wang C-M, Shabala S, Zhang J-L (2022) Evaluation of salt tolerance of oat cultivars and the mechanism of adaptation to salinity. Journal of Plant Physiology 273, 153708.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Zou Y, Zhang Y, Testerink C (2022) Root dynamic growth strategies in response to salinity. Plant, Cell & Environment 45, 695-704.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |