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Exploring the Research Challenges and Perspectives in Ecophysiology of Plants Affected by Salinity Stress

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  • Mădălina Trușcă

    (Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Ștefania Gâdea

    (Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Roxana Vidican

    (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Vlad Stoian

    (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Anamaria Vâtcă

    (Department of Management and Economics, Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnologies, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Claudia Balint

    (Department of Engineering and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Valentina Ancuța Stoian

    (Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Melinda Horvat

    (Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Haţieganu Cluj-Napoca, Babeş Street 8, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Sorin Vâtcă

    (Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

Abstract

Soil salinization processes have increased over the years and affect large parts of agricultural fields. The purpose of this review was to highlight the most important aspects regarding the potential effects of soil salinity on plants. In the current context of climate change, extreme weather and increased drought periods can lead to plant metabolic dysfunctionalities and accumulation of salt ions because of the increasing need for irrigation. The most important limiting factor, salinity, has a highly negative impact on plant growth independent of the appearance of either natural or anthropic status. The negative aspects include decreased leaf development rate, a low water level in all parts of the plant, reduced cell division and elongation, and low-intensity photosynthetic rate. Other negative aspects are directly related to stomata closure, reduced transpiration, low CO 2 level, and limitations on seed germination. However, there are also some positive aspects to the presence of salinity in soil. The field offers unlimited possibilities of research in order to activate pathways that help plants become resistant to salt stress. Several physiological parameters can benefit from low salt concentration (halopriming), such as germination, vigor, rapid seedling growth, and increased stomata number. Further studies should focus on both the positive and negative aspects of the increase in soil salinity.

Suggested Citation

  • Mădălina Trușcă & Ștefania Gâdea & Roxana Vidican & Vlad Stoian & Anamaria Vâtcă & Claudia Balint & Valentina Ancuța Stoian & Melinda Horvat & Sorin Vâtcă, 2023. "Exploring the Research Challenges and Perspectives in Ecophysiology of Plants Affected by Salinity Stress," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:3:p:734-:d:1104339
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