NaCl and NaHCO₃ mediate tradeoffs in growth, leaf traits, and clonal reproduction of reed (Phragmites communis) under saline-alkali stress

Zhan-Wu GAO; Jing LIU; Xiao-Ling  Lu; Xin LI; Ying-Qi QIN; Ge GAO; Li-Jie HE; Meng-Zhu CAI; Chen CHEN; Ji-Tao ZHANG; Chun-Sheng MU; Mohamed MOHANY

doi:10.15835/nbha53314282

Authors

Zhan-Wu GAO Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Western Jilin’s Clean Energy, Baicheng Normal University, Baicheng 137000 (CN)
Jing LIU Agricultural Technology Extension Station of Dongliao County, Liaoyuan, 136600 (CN)
Xiao-Ling Lu Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Western Jilin’s Clean Energy, Baicheng Normal University, Baicheng 137000 (CN)
Xin LI Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Western Jilin’s Clean Energy, Baicheng Normal University, Baicheng 137000 (CN)
Ying-Qi QIN Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Western Jilin’s Clean Energy, Baicheng Normal University, Baicheng 137000 (CN)
Ge GAO Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Western Jilin’s Clean Energy, Baicheng Normal University, Baicheng 137000 (CN)
Li-Jie HE Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Western Jilin’s Clean Energy, Baicheng Normal University, Baicheng 137000 (CN)
Meng-Zhu CAI Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Western Jilin’s Clean Energy, Baicheng Normal University, Baicheng 137000 (CN)
Chen CHEN Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Western Jilin’s Clean Energy, Baicheng Normal University, Baicheng 137000 (CN)
Ji-Tao ZHANG Chinese Academy of Sciences, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Changchun, 130000 (CN)
Chun-Sheng MU Northeast Normal University, College of Life Sciences, Institute of Grassland Science, Changchun, 130024 (CN)
Mohamed MOHANY King Saud University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, P.O. Box 55760, Riyadh, 11451 (SA)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha53314282

Keywords:

abiotic stresses, individual growth, leaf traits, Phragmites australis, plant response

Abstract

Salinity stress is a serious constraint for crop productivity, and its extent is continuously across the globe. Therefore, it is direly necessary to develop appropriate measures to mitigate the toxic effects of salinity to meet rising food needs. The present study determined the impact of diverse concentrations of neutral salt (NaCl: 0, 200, 400 mM) and alkaline salt (Na₂CO₃: 0, 25, 50 mM) on the growth status, leaf traits, and clonal component characteristics of reed (Phragmites communis Trin.). The results indicated that increasing the intensity of salt and alkali stress markedly reduced growth (> 30%) and biomass production (> 35%). The impact of alkali stress was more significant as compared to salt stress, and it significantly decreased leaf area and dry matter production and increased the N concentration and N:P ratio. Further, stomata conductance and CO₂ concentration showed a decrease under stress conditions. While water use efficiency (WUE) also showed a decreasing trend under saline conditions, it first showed an increasing trend under alkali stress and then a decreasing trend. Further, plant tiller, rhizome, and seeds were markedly reduced by stresses. Moreover, the concentration of Na⁺ was increased under saline conditions while the concentration of K⁺ and NO₃^- showed a marked decrease, Na⁺/K⁺ showed a substantial increase. Therefore, salinity and alkaline stress can reduce the growth of reeds by disturbing plant physiological and biochemical functioning and nutrient homeostasis.

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