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The early stress response of maize ( Zea mays L.) to chloride salinity
Author(s) -
Zhang Xudong,
Zörb Christian,
Kränzlein Markus,
Franzisky Bastian L.,
Kaiser Hartmut,
Geilfus ChristophMartin
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of agronomy and crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.095
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-037X
pISSN - 0931-2250
DOI - 10.1111/jac.12356
Subject(s) - chloride , photosynthesis , shoot , salinity , dry matter , agronomy , chemistry , zea mays , micronutrient , turgor pressure , biology , horticulture , biochemistry , ecology , organic chemistry
Chloride is a micronutrient required for photosynthesis but when applied in the concentration of a macronutrient, it may also promote growth by regulating turgor. However, if chloride accumulates excessively, it can induce toxicity. The aim of this study was to identify physiological dysfunctions in maize ( Zea mays L.) that arise in response to excessive chloride ion accumulation. For this, a novel water sensor was employed for the first time allowing the in vivo measurement of water content in the plant by using two near IR‐wavelengths with different absorption of water. This enabled to analyse whether water imbalances occurred. Chloride was given together with calcium as companying counter cation. Results show that most of the tested maize genotypes were able to maintain growth, photosynthesis and normal water content when stressed with concentrations as high as 757.1 mg chloride/kg soil dry matter. Leaf blades accumulated only 8.5 mg chloride/g dry matter, with the most genotypes not even showing salt stress necrosis at the leaves. A comparison between more tolerant and more sensitive genotypes revealed that restriction of chloride root‐to‐shoot translocation is a trait of chloride tolerance.