Effect of Potassium Deficiency on Physiological Responses and Anatomical Structure of Basil, Ocimum basilicum L.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a variable supply of potassium to culture medium on physiological and anatomical parameters (histological sections at the third internode) in basil, Ocimum basilicum. Thirty-four-day-old plants grown on basic nutrient medium were divided into four batches and grown on media with varying doses of potassium: 0.375 mM, 0.250 mM, 0.125 mM and 0 mM K+. After 64 days of culture, a final harvest was performed. The results showed that root and shoot growth in basil was decreased with decreased K+ concentration. This restriction was associated with a reduction in root elongation and leaf expansion, which was coupled with a decrease in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. The estimation of electrolyte leakage reveals that this parameter was increased by potassium deficiency. With respect to total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, only the third leaf-stage extracts exhibited a decrease under low-K+ conditions. However, variability in response of phenolic compounds was recorded depending on the organ and the K+ concentration in the medium. Stem cross sections of potassium-deficient basil plants revealed a decrease in the diameter of these organs, which can be attributed to a restriction of the extent of different tissue territories (cortex and medulla), as well as by a reduction in cell size. These effects were associated with a decrease in the number of conducting vessels and an increase in the number of woody fibers.

Comparison of the responses to NaCl stress of three tomato introgression lines.

We aimed to examine the response of three tomato introgression lines (IL925.3, IL925.5 and IL925.6) to NaCl stress. These lines originated from a cross between M82 (Solanum lycopersicum) and the wild salttolerant tomato Solanum pennellii, each line containing a different fragment of the S.pennellii genome. Salt-sensitive phenotypes related to plant growth and physiology, and the response of antioxidants, pigments and antioxidant enzymes were measured. In general, salt stress decreased the fresh weight of leaves, leaf area and leaf number and an increase of Na+ accumulation in aerial parts was observed, which caused a reduction in the absorption of K+ and Ca2+. Salt stress also induced a decrease in chlorophyll, carotenoids and lipid peroxidation (MDA) and an increase in anthocyanins and reduced ascorbate, although some differences were seen between the lines, for example for carotenoid levels. Guaiacol peroxidase, catalase and glutathione reductase activity enhanced in aerial parts of the lines, but again some differences were seen between the three lines. It is concluded that IL925.5 might be the most sensitive line to salt stress as its dry weight loss was the greatest in response to salt and this line showed the highest Na+ ion accumulation in leaves.

Salt stress mitigation by seed priming with UV-C in lettuce plants: growth, antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds.

Seeds of Lactuca sativa L. 'Romaine' were subjected to priming treatments with UV-C radiation at 0.85 or 3.42 kJ m(-2). Seedlings obtained from both primed (Pr) and non-primed (NPr) seeds were grown in an hydroponic culture system supplemented with 0 (control) or 100 mM NaCl. After 21 days of NaCl treatment, root and leaf biomass, root lengths, leaf numbers, and leaf surface area were measured. Ions (Na(+) and K(+)) accumulation was determined in roots and leaves. Total phenolic compound and flavonoid concentrations, as well as antioxidant and antiradical activities were measured in L. sativa leaves. Salt stress resulted in a lower increase in fresh weight of roots and leaves, which was more pronounced in roots than in leaves, due to reduced root elongation, leaf number and leaf expansion, as well as leaf thickness. The lower increase in fresh weight was accompanied by a restriction in tissue hydration and K(+) ion uptake, as well as an increase in Na(+) ion concentrations in all organs. These effects were mitigated in plants from the UV-C primed seeds. The mitigating effect of UV-C was more pronounced at 0.85 than at 3.42 kJ m(-2). Salt stress also resulted in an increase in total phenolic compounds and flavonoid concentrations and in the total antioxidant capacity in leaves. The highest diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity was found in the leaves of plants from both Pr seeds. Our results suggest that plants grown from seed primed by exposure to moderate UV-C radiation exhibited a higher tolerance to salinity stress.