Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2010, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (10): 1213-1219.DOI: 10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2010.10.010

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of complex saline-alkali stress on physiological parameters of Nitratia tangutorum

YAN Yong-Qing*(), LIU Xing-Liang, WANG Kun, FAN Jin-Ping, SHI Xi-Chan   

  1. College of Horticulture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
  • Received:2009-10-26 Accepted:2010-06-12 Online:2010-10-26 Published:2010-10-31
  • Contact: YAN Yong-Qing

Abstract:

Aims Our objective was to investigate the saline-alkali tolerance mechanism of Nitratia tangutorum to provide the basis for its use in saline areas in Heilongjiang Province of China and contribute to the theoretical understanding of urban tree species.

Methods We treated seedlings of N. tangutorum to 20 kinds of mixed salt solutions with different salinities and alkalinities and examined saline-alkali stress on lipid peroxidation and enzyme activities.

Important findings Injury to the plasma membrane of leaves increased with increasing salinity and alkalinity. Cell membrane permeability and electrolyte leakage of leaves were enhanced under salinity of 300 mmol·L-1. The selectivity of plasma membrane permeability was damaged. The variation of malondialdehyde lipid peroxidation as plasmalemma peroxide product was consistent with that of electrolyte leakage, which showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.796). The activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase increased with both increased salinity and pH, which enhanced the ability of the active cell membrane system. Linear regression analysis showed that the significance order of four stress factors is salinity > pH > [HCO3-] > [CO32-]. Nitratia tangutorum had a high tolerance to complex saline-alkali stress when the salinity was < 300 mmol·L-1 and pH was < 10.59.

Key words: complex saline-alkali stress, membrane permeability, Nitratia tangutorum, protective enzyme activity