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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Riverside, California » Agricultural Water Efficiency and Salinity Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #410119
Research Project: Understanding and Improving Salinity Tolerance in Specialty Crops

Location: Agricultural Water Efficiency and Salinity Research Unit

Title: Salinity responses in 24 guar genotypes: Tolerance mechanism and it's multigenetic regulation

Author
item GROVER, KULBHUSHAN - New Mexico State University
item PALLETE, ANDREW - University Of California, Riverside
item WILLIAM, MARIA - University Of California, Riverside
item Ferreira, Jorge
item KAUNDAL, AMITA - Utah State University
item Sandhu, Devinder

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/27/2023
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.) is a vital, drought-resistant legume with significant economic importance, its seeds yielding gum widely utilized in the oil and natural gas industries. This study investigates the salinity tolerance across various guar genotypes and their genetic responses to salinity stress. In our greenhouse lysimeter experiment, we assessed 24 guar genotypes under normal (electrical conductivity (EC) = 1.46 dS m-1) and high salinity (EC = 13.65 dS m-1) conditions. Salinity had a more substantial impact on shoot length and biomass than on root development, indicating higher shoot sensitivity to salt. We classified the 24 genotypes based on their salt tolerance index for each trait. Tissue ion analysis revealed a substantial difference in Na+ accumulation, with roots accumulating over ten times the sodium found in leaves. This indicates a robust regulatory mechanism controlling root-to-shoot Na+ movement. Conversely, higher Cl¯ concentrations in leaves compared to roots suggested less control over Cl¯ movement. Six genotypes (PI 164486, PI 253186, PI 26152, PI 158125, PI 179926, and PI 263698) were selected for gene expression analysis based on their morphological traits and tissue ion profiles. Our findings reveal a complex interplay of component traits, such as Na+ and Cl¯ exclusion and tissue tolerance, orchestrating guar's response to salinity. In conclusion, our study provides valuable genetic insights that will aid breeders in developing new guar varieties with enhanced salinity tolerance.