Physiological and biochemical mechanisms of salt tolerance in barley under salinity stress
Wessam A. Abdelrady,
Zhengxin Ma,
Elsayed E. Elshawy,
Lanlan Wang,
Syed Muhammad Hassan Askri,
Zakir Ibrahim,
Elvis Dennis,
Farah Kanwal,
Fanrong Zeng,
Imran Haider Shamsi
Affiliations
Wessam A. Abdelrady
Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
Zhengxin Ma
Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Elsayed E. Elshawy
Barley Research Department, Field Crops Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, 9 El-Gamaa St. Giza, Egypt
Lanlan Wang
College of Life Science, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110034, China
Syed Muhammad Hassan Askri
Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Zakir Ibrahim
Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Faculty of Agriculture, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences, Uthal 90150, Pakistan
Elvis Dennis
Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; School of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment, Kokopo ENBP 613, Papua New Guinea
Farah Kanwal
Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Fanrong Zeng
College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, China; Corresponding authors.
Imran Haider Shamsi
Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Corresponding authors.
Salt stress poses a significant threat to global crop yield, prompting the need for understanding stress responses in crops like barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). This study investigated four barley genotypes - Giza129, Giza135, Line 1 and Line 2 - under 12 and 16 dS/m salt concentrations over a 30-day period. Results revealed a salinity-induced decrease in plant growth, particularly pronounced in Giza 129 and Giza 135. Ion analyses demonstrated distinct responses, with Giza genotypes accumulating more Na+ and less K+, leading to an increased Na+/K+ ratio, while both lines maintained K+, reducing the Na+/K+ ratio. Proline accumulation emerged as a crucial protective mechanism, evident in Line 1 and Line 2 exhibiting significantly higher proline content under salt stress compared to both Giza genotypes. Antioxidant enzyme activities, including catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase, are markedly elevated in both lines, indicating superior salt tolerance mechanisms. This research contributes insights into barley salt tolerance, emphasizing the potential for genetic enhancement programs. Conclusively, the current study elucidated variations in salinity tolerance among new barley lines and their signaling mechanisms under salt stress. Given the global impact of salinity on crop yield, these findings hold promise for enhancing salt tolerance in barley and other crops through genetic advancements.
