Effects of NaCl on photosynthetic pigments, saccharides, and chloroplast ultrastructure in leaves of tomato cultivars

In leaves of four tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cultivars (Red Cloud, Floradade, Peto 95, and Scorpio) the contents of chlorophyll (Chl) (a+b), Chl a, and β-carotene decreased due to 100 mM NaCl treatment as compared with those of controls. The contents of soluble sugars and total saccharides were significantly increased in leaves of NaCl-treated plants, but the starch content was not significantly affected. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that in leaves of NaCl-treated plants, the chloroplasts were aggregated, the cell membranes were distorted and wrinkled, and there was no sign of grana and thylakoid structures in chloroplasts.