Maintenance of K+/Na+ Balance in the Roots of Nitraria sibirica Pall. in Response to NaCl Stress

• Published in: Forests Vol. 9; no. 10; p. 601
• Main Authors: Tang, Xiaoqian, Yang, Xiuyan, Li, Huanyong, Zhang, Huaxin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 27.09.2018
• Subjects: H+ flux; ICP-OES; K+ flux; Na+ flux; NaCl stress; Nitraria sibirica Pall; NMT
• ISSN: 1999-4907; 1999-4907
• DOI: 10.3390/f9100601

Using Non-invasive Micro-test Technology (NMT), the Na+, K+ and H+ flux profiles in the root meristem regions were investigated in Nitraria sibirica Pall. seedlings under different NaCl concentrations. NaCl stress increased the K+ and Na+ contents in the roots of N. sibirica seedlings. NaCl stress significantly increased the steady Na+ efflux from the N. sibirica seedling roots. Steady K+ effluxes were measured in the control roots (without NaCl) and in the roots treated with 200 mM NaCl, and no significant differences were observed between the two treatments. The steady K+ efflux from roots treated with 400 mM NaCl decreased gradually. NaCl treatment significantly increased the H+ influx. Pharmacological experiments showed that amiloride and sodium vanadate significantly inhibited the Na+ efflux and H+ influx, suggesting that the Na+ efflux was mediated by a Na+/H+ antiporter using energy provided by plasma membrane H+-ATPase. The NaCl-induced root K+ efflux was inhibited by the K+ channel inhibitor tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA), and was significantly increased by the H+-ATPase inhibitor sodium vanadate. The NaCl-induced K+ efflux was mediated by depolarization-activated outward-rectifying K+ channels and nonselective cation channels (NSCCs). Under salt stress, N. sibirica seedlings showed increased Na+ efflux due to increased plasma membrane H+-ATPase and Na+/H+ antiporter activity. High H+ pump activity not only restricts the Na+ influx through NSCCs, but also limits K+ leakage through outward-rectifying K+ channels and NSCCs, leading to maintenance of the K+/Na+ balance and higher salt tolerance.