Closer to finding salt tolerant tomatoes
Due to the worlds increasing salinisation of agricultural areas, finding places optimal for the growth of a major tomato crop is getting smaller. Scientists are therefore trying to understand the mechanisms of salt tolerance in plants in order to be able to increase it. There are many different membrane transporters involved along with HKT transporters which play an important role in the salt tolerance level of the plant.
The enzyme experiment of Fidalgo de Almeida shows SpHKT1;2, in comparison to SlHKT1;2, has a lower affinity to Na+. This lower affinity of SpHKT1;2 correlates with a higher concentration of Na+ in the xylem and a higher accumulation of Na+ in the stems and leaves. He also studied the effects of mutations in the HKT1;2 to the transport characteristics of the transporters. His findings showed the importance of understanding the transport characteristics of the HKT1;2 transporters in advancing our knowledge of how plants process salt.
The research by Fidalgo de Almeida contributes to the understanding of salt tolerance in plants. We need this understanding and knowledge of the mechanisms involved in salt tolerance so that they can be developed and by investigating these genes they can be bred and more salt tolerant varieties developed.
Read more information about the thesis in VU-DARE
Source: Free University Amsterdam