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- Title
Zea maysL. amylacea from the Lluta Valley (Arica-Chile) tolerates salinity stress when high levels of boron are available.
- Authors
Bastías, E. I.; González-Moro, M. B.; González-Murua, C.
- Abstract
Elevated levels of boron occurring naturally in soil or irrigation waters are detrimental to many crops grown in agricultural regions of the world. If such levels of boron are accompanied by conditions of excessive salinity, as occurs in the Lluta valley in Northern Chile, the consequences can be drastic for crops. A variety of sweet corn from this valley (Zea maysL. amylacea) has arisen as a consequence of practiced seed selection, suggesting that it is extremely tolerant to high salt and boron levels. In the present study, seeds ofZea maysL. amylacea were collected in order to study their physiological mechanisms of tolerance to high levels of NaCl and boron. Concentrations of 100 and 430 mMNaCl and 20 and 40 mg kg-1 boron were imposed as treatments. The plants did not exhibit symptoms of toxicity to either NaCl and boron during the 20 days of treatment. Na+accumulation was substantial in roots, while boron was translocated to leaves. Boron alleviated the negative effect of salinity on tissue K+and maintained membrane integrity. The higher values of water potential seem to be related to the capacity of this ecotype to maintain a better relative water content in leaves. Despite the fact that boron enhanced slightly the effect of salinity on CO2 assimilation, no effect on photochemical parameters was observed in this ecotype. Osmotic adjustment allows this ecotype to survive in high saline soils; however the presence of boron makes this strategy unnecessary since boron contributed to the maintenance of cell wall elasticity.
- Subjects
SALT deposits; WATER supply; IRRIGATION water; EFFECT of salts on plants; BORON in irrigation water; SOIL composition
- Publication
Plant & Soil, 2004, Vol 267, Issue 1/2, p73
- ISSN
0032-079X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11104-005-4292-y