Subcellular compartmentation of sugars in wheat leaves under the influence of salinity and boron toxicity

ABSTRACT

In this study, long-term effects of salinity and high boron (B) on subcellular distribution of sugars in wheat leaves were investigated. Four treatments with three replications of each; control, high B, sodium chloride (NaCl) and NaCl + high B, respectively were established according to completely randomized design. Plants were grown hydroponically and harvested after 6 weeks onset of experiment. NaCl treatment markedly decreased the shoot fresh and dry weight compared to high B or NaCl + high Boron. It increased the sugar concentrations in subcellular compartments, whereas decreased in NaCl + high B. Contrary, NaCl either alone or in combination with high B decreased the sugar contents in whole leaf compared to control or high B. Overall, higher concentrations of sugars were observed in symplast compared to apoplast indicating the symplast as major compartment for sugar transport. Furthermore, wheat plants accumulate sugars in subcellular compartments to maintain their growth under stress conditions.

KEYWORDS:

• Boron toxicity
• subcellular sugars
• salinity
• wheat

Acknowledgements

The help of Mrs. S. thor Starten for Ion Chromatography analysis is also acknowledged.

Funding

We thank Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan and German Academic Exchange service (DAAD) for funding.