Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2009, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (6): 1220-1231.DOI: 10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2009.06.023

• Original article • Previous Articles    

REVIEW OF PROGRESS OF STUDIES ON SALT-TOLERANCE MECHANISMS OF ANNUAL HALOPHYTES

ZHANG Ke1,2,3, TIAN Chang-Yan1,2, LI Chun-Jian3,*()   

  1. 1 Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, ürümqi 830011, China
    2 Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology and Desert Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, ürümqi 830011, China
    3 College of Resources and Environment, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
  • Received:2009-01-12 Accepted:2009-05-15 Online:2009-11-30 Published:2021-04-29
  • Contact: LI Chun-Jian

Abstract:

Halophytes, i.e., plants that can growth and reproduce in saline soil, have a series of evolutionary strategies to adapt to saline environments. Annual halophytes have been the main subject of salt-tolerance research, because their short life cycle facilitates culture and observation, enabling ease of experimentation, genetic transformation and plant regeneration. Bearing greater survival risk, annual halophytes have a set of mechanisms safer than those of perennial halophytes, including seed dormancy when subjected to high salt, fast germination after rehydration, polymorphism in morphology and germination, persistent seed bank and plastic resource allocation. After successful germination, the life stages of vegetation growth, development and reproduction can endure severe salinity stress; the so-called mechanism of salt tolerance is to mediate salt in vivo during plant life. According to differences among plant species, the mechanisms of salt tolerance can be divided into salt-dilution, salt-secretion and salt-exclusion. Based on analyzing domestic and foreign literature, we review and summarize the common types of annual halophytes and their salt-tolerant mechanisms, including seed characteristics, plant morphology and structure, biochemistry and ecological behaviors.

Key words: annual halophyte, mechanism of salt tolerance, seed characteristics, plant morphology and structure, dormancy