Solute contents in roots and root calli of NaCl-tolerant and NaCl-sensitive tissues ofLycopersicon

Biomass, relative growth rate (RGR), organic and inorganic solute contents in control and NaCl (50–100 mM) affected roots or calli of the wild tomato genotypeLycopersicon pennellii and theLycopersicon esculentum wilty mutantflacca were compared. Under NaCl-stress, the RGR of calli fromL. pennellii was higher than that of the mutantflacca, while the root biomass of the former was lower than that of the latter. Constant water contents were found in calli and roots, irrespective of the genotypes and NaCl concentrations. Taking into account the solute contents of the apoplasm, Na⁺ accumulation was similar in the sensitive tissues (calli fromL. flacca, roots ofL. pennellii) and the tolerant ones (calli fromL. pennellii, flacca roots). Decreased K⁺ and Mg²⁺ and increased proline contents were found in both sensitive tissues. In comparison with sensitiveL. pennellii roots, salt sensitiveflacca calli showed increased total organic acid and amino acid contents.