Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus on sodium and chloride ion channels of Casuarina glauca under salt stress

Abstract

Abstract Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can promote the growth and salt tolerance of plants under salt stress. However, the effects of AMF on the distribution of Na+ and Cl− and the expression of related genes in plants under salt stress need to be further explored. This study explored the effects of Rhizophagus irregularis on plant biomass, the distribution of Na+ and Cl−, and the expression of related genes in Casuarina glauca under NaCl stress. R. irregularis could promote salt dilution of C. glauca by increasing biomass and the content of K+, compartmentalizing Na+ and Cl− in vacuoles. These processes were associated with the expression of CgNHX1, CgNHX2-1, CgCLCD, CgCLCF, and CgCLCG. This phenomenon may explain why C. glauca with R. irregularis grows better than that without under the same level of NaCl stress.