Insights on Salt Tolerance of Two Endemic Limonium Species from Spain

[EN] We have analysed the salt tolerance of two endemic halophytes of the genus Limonium, with high conservation value. In the present study, seed germination and growth parameters as well as different biomarkers-photosynthetic pigments, mono and divalent ion contents-associated to salt stress were...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Authors: González-Orenga, Sara, Ferrer-Gallego, P. Pablo, Laguna, Emilio, Donat-Torres, Maria P., López-Gresa, María Pilar|||0000-0001-9251-0160, Verdeguer Sancho, Mercedes María|||0000-0002-8273-2576, Vicente, Oscar|||0000-0001-5076-3784, Boscaiu, Monica|||0000-0002-9691-4223
Format: article
Publication Date:2019
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)
Repository:RiuNet. Repositorio Institucional de la Universitat Politécnica de Valéncia
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:riunet.upv.es:10251/159517
Online Access:https://riunet.upv.es/handle/10251/159517
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Limonium albuferae
Limonium dufourii
Growth parameters
Photosynthetic pigments
Ionic homeostasis
Metabolic profiles
Carbohydrates
Organic acids
Amino acids
Multivariate analysis
BIOQUIMICA Y BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
BOTANICA
Description
Summary:[EN] We have analysed the salt tolerance of two endemic halophytes of the genus Limonium, with high conservation value. In the present study, seed germination and growth parameters as well as different biomarkers-photosynthetic pigments, mono and divalent ion contents-associated to salt stress were evaluated in response to high levels of NaCl. The study was completed with an untargeted metabolomics analysis of the primary compounds including carbohydrates, phosphoric and organic acids, and amino acids, identified by using a gas chromatography and mass spectrometry platform. Limonium albuferae proved to be more salt-tolerant than L. doufourii, both at the germination stage and during vegetative growth. The degradation of photosynthetic pigments and the increase of Na+/K+ ratio under salt stress were more accentuated in the less tolerant second species. The metabolomics analysis unravelled several differences between the two species. The higher salt tolerance of L. albuferae may rely on its specific accumulation of fructose and glucose under high salinity conditions, the first considered as a major osmolyte in this genus. In addition, L. albuferae showed steady levels of citric and malic acids, whereas the glutamate family pathway was strongly activated under stress in both species, leading to the accumulation of proline (Pro) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).