Integrated approaches for increasing plant yield under salt stress

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Agronomy
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Salt stress is a major abiotic stressor, causing substantial yield losses in agriculture worldwide.
• Existing research highlights various strategies to mitigate salt stress effects on plants.
• A comprehensive review consolidating these approaches for regulating plant growth and yield under salt stress is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of integrative strategies for managing salt stress in plants.
• To elucidate the roles of phytohormones, nutrient management, and genetic approaches in enhancing plant tolerance.
• To identify key genes involved in plant adaptation to salt stress.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on nutrient absorption, utilization, and salt-tolerant variety development.
• Analysis of the effects of integrative approaches on plant morpho-physiological activities and crop yield.
• Identification and discussion of relevant genes and phytohormone functions under salt stress.

Main Results:

• Humic acid (HA) combined with potassium (K) improves plant morpho-physiological activities and soil properties.
• Specific gene families (e.g., NRT, NPF) enhance nutrient uptake, while others (e.g., NHX1, SOS1) maintain ion homeostasis and membrane integrity.
• Genes such as sd1/Rht1, AtNHX1, BnaMAX1s, ipal-1D, and sft contribute to improved plant growth and yield under salt stress.

Conclusions:

• Integrative strategies involving nutrient management, phytohormones, and genetic improvements are effective in combating salt stress.
• Understanding the molecular mechanisms, including key gene functions, is crucial for developing salt-tolerant crops.
• This review offers insights into plant adaptation mechanisms, aiding future research and crop improvement strategies.