Utilisation of stored lipids during germination in dimorphic seeds of euhalophyte Suaeda salsa

Abstract

Utilisation of stored lipids plays an important role in germination of oil seeds. In the present study, key enzyme activity (lipase, isocitrate lyase and malate synthase) in lipid utilisation was determined during germination in dimorphic seeds of euhalophyte Suaeda salsa (L.) Pall. The results revealed that the percentage of germination were highest in intertidal brown seeds, followed by inland brown seeds and then inland black seeds moistened with 0 and 300 mM NaCl during early seed germination. The same trend was found in the activity of three enzymes and soluble sugar content when seeds were moistened with 0 and 300 mM NaCl for 3 h. Salinity reduced the activity of three enzymes in inland brown and black seeds in the initial 3 h, except that salinity had no adverse effect on isocitrate lyase activity of brown seeds. Salinity had no adverse effect on three enzymes in inland brown and black seeds in the initial 30 h, except that it decreased malate synthase activity of black seeds. Salinity had no effect on three enzymes in intertidal brown seeds in the initial 3 h and 30 h. In conclusion, high activity of these enzymes in brown seeds may play an important role in utilisation of stored lipids during their rapid seed germination.

Analysis of widely targeted metabolites of the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa under saline conditions provides new insights into salt tolerance and nutritional value in halophytic species

“…Seeds of S. salsa contain high oil, and are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic acid. Hence, this can be used as a source of high-quality edible oil [32,33]. Fatty acid methyl esters extracted from seedlings and seeds, especially 9, 12-octadecandienoic acid methyl ester and γlinolenic acid methyl ester, can inhibit the formation of inflammatory factors, and have obvious anti-inflammatory effects [34].…”

“…salsa is an euhalophyte with high salt tolerance during germination [23][24][25][26], vegetative growth [27] and reproductive stages [28][29][30][31]. The species is considered to have potential as a vegetable and oilseed crop [32,33], and it is rich in protein, crude fiber, carotenoids and amino acids [34]. Furthermore, the species has high value as a medicine, and is a promising model for understanding salt tolerance [34].…”

Transcriptomic analysis identifies novel genes and pathways for salt stress responses in Suaeda salsa leaves

“…Besides, accumulation of compatible solutes has been regarded as one of basic strategies for the protection and survival of euhalophytes under salt stress, including soluble carbohydrates, glycocoll betaine, polyols and proteins. These compatible solutes protect plants against stress by adjusting cellular osmotic pressure, detoxifiation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), maintaining membrane integrity, and stabilizing enzyme and protein complex [30][31][32][33][34][35] .…”

Seed Heteromorphism: An Important Adaptation of Halophytes for Habitat Heterogeneity

“…Published literature reported that halophytes produce larger seed with big storage capacity under salt stress. For example, certain halophytic plants such as S. salsa produce large seed and transfer more photo-assimilates to those larger seed in order to ensure optimum germination for next generation ( Guo et al, 2015 ; Wang et al, 2015 ; Zhao et al, 2018a ). Nonetheless, molecular identification of such mechanism has not been reported therefore, more research is required to further elaborate this mechanism.…”

“…Organic osmolytes play very important role in stress alleviation ( Anjum et al, 2016 , 2017a ). Halophytes (for example S. salsa ) produce/accumulate more organic osmolytes such as starch, soluble sugar, and protein in their large seeds as compared with small seeds to ensure optimum seed germination under salt stress ( Guo et al, 2015 , 2018 ; Wang et al, 2015 ; Zhao et al, 2018a ). These osmolytes such as soluble sugars can help in ROS detoxification or can also act as signaling compounds that may trigger other stress alleviation mechanisms ( Gibson, 2005 ; Couée et al, 2006 ; Anjum et al, 2017b ).…”