Effects of Vertically Heterogeneous Soil Salinity on Genetic Polymorphism and Productivity of the Widespread Halophyte Bassia prostrata

Abstract

Salinity is one of the environmental factors that affects both productivity and genetic diversity in plant species. Within the soil profile, salinity is a dynamic indicator and significantly changes with depth. The present study examined the effects of the vertical heterogeneity of soil salinity chemistry on the plant height, fresh and dry biomass accumulation, water content, level of genetic polymorphism, and observed and expected heterozygosity in seven populations of halophyte Bassia prostrata in natural habitats. Soil salinity ranged from slight (Ssalts = 0.11–0.25%) to extreme (Ssalts = 1.35–2.57%). The main contributors to salinity were Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+. Multivariate analysis revealed that biomass accumulation is positively affected by moderate/high salinity in 20–60 cm soil layers, which may be associated with the salt required for the optimal growth of the halophyte B. prostrata. The formation of seed genetic diversity is negatively affected by slight/moderate salinity in the 0–40 cm layers. An increase in divalent ion content can reduce genetic diversity and increase the local adaptation of B. prostrata to magnesium–calcium sulfate salinity. The effect of the in-depth distribution of soil salinity on productivity and genetic diversity may be related to seasonal variables during biomass accumulation (summer) and seed formation (autumn).

The Glycine soja cytochrome P450 gene GsCYP82C4 confers alkaline tolerance by promoting reactive oxygen species scavenging

“…According to an estimate, salinity affects 60% of fertile soils, half of which is alkalized (Changjie et al, 2023). Salt‐alkaline soils are distinguished by the presence of high salt and pH values (over pH 8.0), in other words, soil is considered saline when its sum of salts ranged from slight (0.11–0.25%) to extreme (1.35–2.57%; Shuyskaya et al, 2023). Under natural conditions, neutral salts like NaCl and Na 2 SO 4 are the main source of salt stress, whereas basic salts such as NaHCO 3 , Na 2 CO 3 are the main cause of saline‐alkali stress (Fang et al, 2021).…”