Growth, and cationic absorption, transportation and allocation of Elaeagnus angustifolia seedlings under NaCl stress

As a salt-tolerant shrub/tree species, Elaeagnus angustifolia L. is widely planted for afforestation in many marginal lands or environmentally harsh conditions in northern China. To unravel the underlying physiological mechanisms responsible for the extra-ordinary adaptation to high salt in E. angustifolia, we used the well-controlled water culture experiment in greenhouse to investigate the biomass accumulation, and the absorption, transportation and allocation of multiple ions including K[sup +], Na[sup +], Ca[sup 2+] and Mg[sup 2+] in different plant tissues of E. angustifolia seedlings upon being challenged by different NaCI concentrations 30 days. In conclusion, our findings suggested that the salt-adaptation mechanisms of E. angustifolia are root salt-rejection and shoot salt-tolerance, which are primarily implemented by root growth stimulation, root Na[sup +] accumulation and restriction, and shoot Na[sup +]endurance, and are also correlated with a remarkably increased ability of K[sup +] and Ca[sup 2+] selective transportation in roots, stems and leaves.