Changes induced by salinity to the anatomy and morphology of excised pea roots in culture

Excised pea roots were grown in culture in the absence or presence of NaCl. Salinity induced anatomical and morphological changes in the roots, some of which could be observed after only 24 h in culture. Roots became constricted just above the apex, the region above the constriction thickened and the root tip curved through 90°. Cellular differentiation began nearer the apex, cortical and epidermal cells shortened and mitotic activity in the pericycle increased as a result of exposure to salinity. Some of the changes resemble those induced by ethylene, but ethylene probably was not the cause of the response to salinity. Root cultures seem to be a suitable model for studying the effect of salinity in plant roots.