A Review on Physio-Biochemical and Molecular Mechanisms of Salt Tolerance in Crops

Pramod Vilas Shelar^1,2, Ganesh Deepak Mankar^1,3, Om Prafull Sontakke¹, Uttam Ramchandra Wayase¹, Kishor Suresh Bhosale³, Ganesh Chandrakant Nikalje⁴, Mahendra Laxman Ahire⁶, Tukaram Dayaram Nikam⁵ and Rajkumar Baban Barmukh^1*

¹Department of Botany, Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce (Autonomous), Shivajinagar, Pune, MH, India.

²Department of Botany, Haribhai V. Desai College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Pune, MH, India.

³Department of Botany, Nowrosjee Wadia College (Autonomous), Pune, MH, India.

⁴Department of Botany, Seva Sadan's R. K. Talreja College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Ulhasnagar, Thane, Mumbai, MH, India.

⁵Department of Botany, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, MS, India.

⁶Department of Botany, Yashavantrao Chavan Institute of Science (Autonomous), Satara, MS, India.

Corresponding Author E-mail:barmukhbotany@moderncollegepune.edu.in

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.12.2.05

Abstract:

Soil salinity is a major abiotic stressor that hampers agricultural productivity worldwide, with both natural and anthropogenic factors contributing to its rise. Salinity disrupts osmotic and ionic balance, impairs seed germination, hinders photosynthesis, and exacerbates oxidative stress, leading to significant membrane damage. In response, plants have evolved various biochemical and physiological and molecular mechanisms to tolerate high salinity. Recent research has greatly advanced our understanding of salt tolerance by identifying key genes associated with this trait. These studies have highlighted essential genes involved in ion transport, stress signaling, and maintaining osmotic balance. By integrating genetic insights with practical approaches like breeding and genetic engineering, researchers are developing crops better suited to saline environments, which is crucial for addressing global food security challenges. This paper aims to review recent findings on the impact of salt stress on plants and explore the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms underlying salt tolerance.

Keywords:

Germination and Growth Stage; Oxidative Stress; Osmolytes; Plants Defence System; Salinity Stress; Salt Tolerance Genes

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