Abstract:
When rice plants expose to the saline soil, roots are the first part that experiences salt stress. This constrained condition modifies root system architecture (RSA) and anatomy to enhance water uptake and reduce salt ion accumulation. Besides, the production of root border cells (RBCs) may be modified to deal with high salt ions. To clarify impacts of these root features in salt tolerance, changes of RSA, anatomy, and RBCs were examined in three rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars having different salt tolerance. There was no modification of RSA in Pokkali but KDML105 and IR29, with increased primary root length and lateral root numbers under 14-day salt stress and decreased adventitious root numbers under 21-day salt stress. Likewise, an increase of stele area took place in KDML105 and IR29 but not Pokkali, suggesting the disadvantage of increased vascular tissues under salinization. Moreover, the differential pattern of RBCs production in Pokkali, when compared to that of KDML105 and IR29, evidenced intra-species variation of this trait in rice plants. Furthermore, the production of RBCs was enhanced in seedlings of KDML105 and Pokkali exposed to 24-hour salt stress. Interestingly, no production of RBCs was observed in growth-retarded roots and RBCs of IR29 produced less mucilage under salt stress. Taken together, the modification of RBCs production, but not RSA and stele tissues, benefits rice plants experiencing salt stress.