Growth, ionic homeostasis, and physiological responses of cotton under different salt and alkali stresses

To better understand the mechanism of salt tolerance, we analyzed cotton growth and the ionomes in different tissues under different types of salt-alkali stress. Cotton was exposed to the soil salt and alkali stresses, NaCl, Na₂SO₄, and Na₂CO₃ + NaHCO₃, in a pot study. Salt and alkali stress significantly inhibited cotton growth, significantly reduced root length, surface area, and volume, and significantly increased relative electrical conductivity (REC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content but also significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities, and proline (Pro) content. The REC in leaves was higher under salt stress than under alkali stress, but the effects on Pro were in the order Na₂CO₃ + NaHCO₃ > NaCl > Na₂SO₄. Principal component analysis showed a significant difference in ion composition under the different types of salt-alkali stress. Under the three types of salt-alkali stress, concentrations of Na and Mo increased significantly in different organs of cotton plants. Under NaCl stress, the absorption of Ca was inhibited, the transport capacity of P, Mg, and Cu was reduced, and the ion balance was maintained by promoting the uptake and transport of Zn, Mn, Al, and Mo. Under Na₂SO₄ stress, the absorption of P and Ca was inhibited, the transport capacity of Mg, B, and Cu was reduced, and the ion balance was maintained by promoting the uptake and transport of S, Zn, Fe, Mo, Al, and Co. Under Na₂CO₃ + NaHCO₃ stress, the absorption of P and S was inhibited, the transport capacity of Mg and B was reduced, but that of Al and Fe increased, and the ion balance was maintained by promoting the uptake and transport of Mn, Mo, Ni, and Co. The relative expression of GhSOS1 and GhNHX1 in leaves increased significantly under salt stress but decreased under alkali stress. These results suggest that cotton is well-adapted to salt-alkali stress via the antioxidant enzyme system, adjustment of osmotic substances, and reconstruction of ionic equilibrium; neutral salt stress primarily disrupts the ion balance, whereas alkali stress decreases the ability to regulate Na and inhibits the absorption of mineral elements, as well as disrupts the ion balance; and the changes in the expression of salt tolerance-related genes may partially explain the accumulation of Na ions in cotton under salt-alkali stress.