Plasticity tradeoffs in salt tolerance mechanisms among desert Distichlis spicata genotypes

We investigated genetic differences in salinity tolerance among 20 saltgrass (Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene) genotypes, including constitutive, gender-based and phenotypic plasticity traits, to better understand the basis of adaptation and acclimation by saltgrass in diverse environments. On average, the plants survived NaCl treatments up to ~1M, with reductions in growth and health that varied with genotype. For these 20 genotypes in a greenhouse study, we showed that greater plasticity in one salt tolerance mechanism was physiologically linked to lesser plasticity in another. Under various levels of constant salinity stress, genotypes employing a strategy of greater plasticity in foliar Na and lesser plasticity in both foliar K:Na and Na turnover rate were better able to substitute Na for K in some cellular functions, especially osmotic adjustment, leading to increased salinity tolerance. Although we observed gender segregation with salinity in the Owens (Dry) Lake Playa (Inyo County, CA, USA) population planted for dust control, from which the genotypes were collected, we did not observe gender differences in salinity tolerance in the greenhouse. Significant physiological plasticity tradeoffs among genotypes, however, did affect overall salinity tolerance and may be important for this species survival in diverse managed and natural habitats.