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Interactions between salinity and boron toxicity in tomato plants involve apoplastic calcium
Elizabeth Bastías1, Carlos Alcaraz-López, Ildefonso Bonilla
1Departamento de Producción Agrícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de Tarapacá, Casilla 6-D, Arica, Chile.
Journal of Plant Physiology
|September 2, 2009
Summary
This study reveals complex interactions between salinity, boron (B), and calcium (Ca) in tomato plants. Boron and calcium may enhance aquaporin function, improving plant water permeability under saline conditions.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Environmental Stress Biology
- Nutrient Interactions
Background:
- Salinity and boron (B) toxicity interactions in plants lack consensus.
- Understanding plant physiological responses to combined B and salinity stress is crucial.
- Calcium (Ca) may share similar effects with B, warranting comparative investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the complex interactions between soluble boron (B) and salinity in tomato plants.
- To compare the effects of B and Ca under salinity stress.
- To elucidate the physiological responses, including cell wall and plasma membrane permeability, and their relation to nutrient composition.
Main Methods:
- Tomato plants were treated with B or Ca, followed by salinity (NaCl) application.
- Cell wall and plasma membrane permeability were assessed via water permeability and electrolyte leakage.
- Amino acid and ion composition of the cell wall were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Salinity, B, and Ca interactions were complex, with several hypotheses proposed.
- Aquaporin functionality potentially increased with B and Ca compared to NaCl-only treatments.
- Cell wall amino acid composition showed unexplained results; Mg and Mn increased in NaCl+B and NaCl+Ca treatments.
Conclusions:
- Boron and Calcium may enhance aquaporin function, improving plant water relations under salinity.
- Further research is needed to explain cell wall amino acid responses.
- Magnesium (Mg) and Manganese (Mn) may play roles in cell wall stability and plant growth under combined salinity and B/Ca stress.
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