Thesis
Salinity tolerance in the single-cell C4 species Bienertia sinuspersici and the Kranz-type C4 species Suaeda eltonica (Chenopodiaceae)
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2009
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/102248
Abstract
Beginning in 2001, research on the photosynthetic mechanisms of plant species in the Chenopodiaceae family revealed these plants can carry out C4 photosynthesis within individual photosynthetic cells, through the development of two cytoplasmic domains having dimorphic chloroplasts. This dispelled the 35 year paradigm that Kranz-type anatomy is required for C4 photosynthesis. The single-cell C4 species being studied are halophytes, but the effect of high salinity levels on the developmental transition from C3 to C4, and plant functions remain to be determined. The response of the single-cell C4 species to increasing salinity was investigated to determine optimal growth and tolerance, using microscopic, biochemical and physiological techniques. Bienertia sinuspersici and a related Kranz type C4 species, Suaeda eltonica were grown in growth chambers in an aerated hydroponic system with modified Hoagland's solution (adapted from a previous method used with Arabidopsis), with exposure to varying levels of NaCl. Salinity treatments (0 to 400 mM NaCl) show B. sinuspersici has optimum growth under 50-200 mM NaCl, while growth is severely impaired in 400 mM NaCl (near sea water levels). Differences were observed in growth, chlorenchyma cell morphology, carbon isotope values as a measure of C4 efficiency, content of selected photosynthetic enzymes and rates of carbon assimilation. Under all salt levels, mature leaves develop the C4 type of chlorenchyma cells and express C4 enzymes, showing salt is not required for C4 development, but is required for optimum growth.
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Details
- Title
- Salinity tolerance in the single-cell C4 species Bienertia sinuspersici and the Kranz-type C4 species Suaeda eltonica (Chenopodiaceae)
- Creators
- Courtney Price Leisner
- Contributors
- Gerry Edwards (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Biological Sciences, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525160701842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis