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Potassium transport and plant salt tolerance

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 22:26 authored by Sergey ShabalaSergey Shabala, Tracey Cuin
Salinity is a major abiotic stress affecting approximately 7% of the world's total land area resulting in billion dollar losses in crop production around the globe. Recent progress in molecular genetics and plant electrophysiology suggests that the ability of a plant to maintain a high cytosolic K+/Na+ ratio appears to be critical to plant salt tolerance. So far, the major efforts of plant breeders have been aimed at improving this ratio by minimizing Na+ uptake and transport to shoot. In this paper, we discuss an alternative approach, reviewing the molecular and ionic mechanisms contributing to potassium homeostasis in salinized plant tissues and discussing prospects for breeding for salt tolerance by targeting this trait. Major K+ transporters and their functional expression under saline conditions are reviewed and the multiple modes of their control are evaluated, including ameliorative effects of compatible solutes, polyamines and supplemental calcium. Subsequently, the genetic aspects of inheritance of K+ transport 'markers' are discussed in the general context of salt tolerance as a polygenic trait. The molecular identity of 'salt tolerance' genes is analysed, and prospects for future research and breeding are examined.

History

Publication title

Physiologia Plantarum

Volume

133

Issue

4

Pagination

651-699

ISSN

0031-9317

Department/School

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Munksgaard

Place of publication

Denmark

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Wheat

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