Molecular Responses of Vegetable, Ornamental Crops, and Model Plants to Salinity Stress

Abstract

Vegetable and ornamental plants represent a very wide group of heterogeneous plants, both herbaceous and woody, generally without relevant salinity-tolerant mechanisms. The cultivation conditions—almost all are irrigated crops—and characteristics of the products, which must not present visual damage linked to salt stress, determine the necessity for a deep investigation of the response of these crops to salinity stress. Tolerance mechanisms are linked to the capacity of a plant to compartmentalize ions, produce compatible solutes, synthesize specific proteins and metabolites, and induce transcriptional factors. The present review critically evaluates advantages and disadvantages to study the molecular control of salt tolerance mechanisms in vegetable and ornamental plants, with the aim of distinguishing tools for the rapid and effective screening of salt tolerance levels in different plants. This information can not only help in suitable germplasm selection, which is very useful in consideration of the high biodiversity expressed by vegetable and ornamental plants, but also drive the further breeding activities.

Molecular and physiological responses to salt stress in salinity-sensitive and tolerant Hibiscus rosa-sinensis cultivars

“…Proline is a non-protein amino acid that is also a soluble osmolyte that increases during stress conditions such as cold, drought, and salinity (Boscaiu et al 2013 ; Ghosh et al 2022 ). Proline protects plant cells against oxidative stress by removing ROS (Toscano et al 2023 ). The higher increase of proline concentration in ‘Porto’ leaves at the highest salinity condition could be associated to the tolerance to salt stress and explain the survival and the ornamental quality retain.…”

“…In ‘Porto’ the increase of Na uptake seems to be correlated with K in leaves, while no changes were found in flower organs that could be ameliorated by Ca. It is well known that Ca regulates the Na translocation by acting on SOS genes (Toscano et al 2023 ).…”

“…Molecular changes observed in ornamental plants under salinity stress may be associated with tolerance or sensitivity. Salinity stress causes major alterations in the expression patterns of genes involved in diverse physiological and regulatory pathways in many ornamental plants (Toscano et al 2023 ). Certain genes involved in ion transport, osmotic regulation, stress signalling, and antioxidant defence mechanisms are upregulated or downregulated in response to salinity stress (Shavrukov 2013 ).…”

“…These molecular changes highlight the complex and dynamic responses of ornamental plants to salinity stress at the molecular level, allowing them to adapt and survive in challenging environments (Trivellini et al 2016a , b ; Toscano et al 2023 ).…”

New Strategies to Increase the Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Woody Ornamental Plants in Mediterranean Climate

“…At physiological and biochemical levels, the tolerance of plants to high temperatures depends on the transpiration rate and the thermoregulation efficiency of plants [ 88 ]. At the molecular level, the tolerance of plants to heat stress is associated to the accumulation of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and genes encoded for the detoxification of ROS [ 89 ].…”