More than 22% of the world's agricultural land is saline, and this trend continues to increase with climate changes. SALINITY STRESS causes leaf color change, osmotic STRESS, ionic toxicity, prevents growth, photosynthesis and plant performance. Due to their size less than micron, metal nanoparticles have a great absorption and transmission power in plants. SALINITY STRESS is a major problem in hot and dry areas under tomato cultivation. For this purpose, investigating the mutual effects of the size and type of zinc oxide and iron oxide nanoparticles on the improvement and change of growth and increasing the resistance to salt STRESS in tomato plants of the early urbana variety were carried out in the form of a completely randomized and factorial design with 4 replications, at a significant level of 5%. In this research, zinc oxide nanoparticles in 25 and 50 nm sizes, iron oxide in 25 nm sizes and sodium chloride in 0 and 75 mM levels were used. Nanoparticles and SALINITY treatments were both applied to the plants. The results showed that salt STRESS led to a decrease in plant growth parameters such as shoot and root length, leaf area, RWC, ion leakage. Also, NaCl led to an increase in the accumulation of prolin and other aldehydes, sodium, iron and zinc. The application of nanoparticles had a slight effect in STRESS-free conditions, but in STRESSed conditions, these two nanoparticles alone and especially in combination neutralized the effect of SALINITY and reduced the damage caused by SALINITY STRESS.

Extended Abstract Background: SALINITY is one of the major abiotic STRESSes and the most limiting factor in agricultural production worldwide, affecting the growth, development, and final yields of crops. Rapeseed is one of the most important sources of oilseeds in the world, and its seeds contain more than 40% of oil. Moreover, the meal obtained from oil extraction has more than 35% protein, hence it currently ranks third among oil crops in the world after soybean and oil palm, making it necessary to identify the genotypes that tolerate SALINITY STRESS. The development and improvement of rapeseed cultivars with SALINITY tolerance and acclimation offer promising prospects for improving sustainable production in this area. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the responses of rapeseed genotypes to SALINITY STRESS through analyses of agronomic and biochemical traits. Methods: The genetic diversity between rapeseed lines in terms of agronomic, morphological, and physiological traits in saline soils was investigated in an experiment based on a randomized complete block design with 17 autumn rapeseed genotypes with three replicates in the research farm of East-Azarbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center. The measured traits were plant height, the number of fertile pods, number of seeds per pod, pod length, pod area, plant growth rate, 1000-seed weight (TSW), seed yield, oil content, and oil yield. The relationships between yield, yield components, and morphological traits were explored using the analysis of variance (ANOVA), comparison of averages, correlation analysis, cluster analysis, and biplot to understand the relative importance of traits affecting the yield of the studied genotypes. Results: The studied genotypes were significantly different from each other in pod length, pod area, number of fertile pods, number of seeds per pod, plant growth rate, seed oil percentage, plant height, TSW, grain yield, and oil yield. However, there were no significant differences between the studied genotypes in terms of harvest index and number of actual pods to potential pods. According to the mean comparisons, genotypes 5, 11, and 15 can be introduced as SALINITY-tolerant lines, and genotypes 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 can be considered SALINITY-sensitive lines. According to the other traits, genotype 11 produced a high pod length, number of fertile pods, oil percentage, and oil yield, genotype 5 had a high growth rate and oil percentage, and genotype 15 presented a high height and number of fertile pods. According to the cluster analysis, the second and third groups contained tolerant and susceptible genotypes, respectively. The genotypes in the second group had the highest percentage of positive deviation from the overall mean for grain yield, plant height, harvest index, seed oil percentage, pod length, pod area, and number of fertile pods. Based on the biplot analysis, Karaj 8 and 14 genotypes had a strong relationship with the number of  fertile pods, number of seeds per pod, pod length, pod area, and plant growth rate. Based on the obtained results, the plant height, TSW, seed yield, and oil content traits were closely correlated with Karaj 5, 7, 11, 10, and 15 genotypes. Based on the results of correlation analysis, the correlation coefficient of seed yield was positive and significant for three traits, i.e., plant height, oil percentage, and number of fertile pods, and the highest correlation coefficient (r = 0.879) was obtained for seed yield with seed oil percentage. Positive and significant correlations were measured for the number of seeds in pods with pod length (r = 0.699), pod area (r = 0.555), number of fertile pods (r = 0.678), and number of actual pods. Therefore, genotypes characterized by longer and more abundant pods play a crucial role in improving seed quantity, a key component of grain yield in saline environments. Consequently, the size and number of pods per plant serve as indicators of high-yield potential under such conditions. Based on the results of the principal component analysis (PCA), the first and second components had the highest relative variances, accounting for 44.66% and 31.22% of the total variance, respectively. Together, these two components accounted for 75.88% of the total variance. Factor loadings showed that traits such as number of fertile pods, seed yield, oil yield, and seed oil content had the highest factor loadings in the first component. Similarly, the plant growth rate had the highest factor load in the second component among all the studied traits. Cluster analysis divided the genotypes into four groups, and its dendrogram showed that all the studied genotypes were divided into four separate groups based on all the measured traits. The first group comprised three Karaj 1, 13, and 16 genotypes, the fourth group (like the first group) contained three Karaj 5, 11, and 15 genotypes, and the third group had five genotypes, namely Karaj 3, 7, 8, 10, and 14. The remaining genotypes were assigned to the second group. Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrate acceptable genetic diversity among rapeseed genotypes in terms of the evaluated traits in saline lands. This shows the importance and the possibility of using these genetic resources to achieve promising and superior genotypes in breeding programs.

To study the effect of SALINITY STRESS on some physiological traits in wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.), a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replicates was performed at 2017 in the research greenhouse of Agronomy Department, University of Tehran. SALINITY treatments at two levels; control (1.2 dS/m) and sodium chloride treatment (16 dS/m) and seven wheat cultivars, Rowshan, Inia-66, Mahdavi, Khazar-1, Karaj-2, Ghods and Shole were the experimental treatments. According to the results, relative water content, yield and its components and potassium/sodium ratio decreased in all genotypes while Na+ content and remobilization of carbohydrates were increased. Salt resistant varieties, Roshan and Inia-66, had the highest level of relative water content, remobilization of soluble carbohydrates and number of grains per spike. In addition, Roshan cultivar showed the highest potassium concentration and K+/Na+ in the shoots, while Ghods and Sholeh as sensitive cultivars had the highest sodium concentration in the shoots. Findings showed that the ability of a cultivar to remobilize soluble carbohydrates is one of the traits that determine salt STRESS tolerance, hence, this trait is suitable for evaluating salt tolerance of wheat cultivars in the future investigations.

SALINITY in the soil and irrigation water is an environmental problem and a major constraint for crop production. Coriandrum sativum as a leafy vegetable is great interest for vegetable producers in the world. However, due to gradual increase in soil and water SALINITY, especially in Northwest Iran, the production of this vegetable has been faced with many constraints. This experiment was conducted to study the effect of SALINITY on some morphological and physiological traits of Coriandrum sativum. The factors were arranged as factorial based on randomized complete block design with five NaCl levels (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM NaCl) and local ecotypes (Tabriz, Malayer) with three replications. The results revealed that there was interaction of SALINITY levels with ecotypes in terms of proline content and relative water content. The highest amounts for proline content (77 μ g-1 FWt) was recorded for Tabriz clone under 200 mM NaCl. The greatest relative water content was obtained by Tabriz clone × NaCl 0 and Malayer × NaCl 0 and 50 mM combinations. The highest dry weight of leaves, K+/Na+ ratio and K+ belonged to the non-SALINITY condition. Highest amounts of Na+ accumulation, MDA and H2O2 level and ion leakage were attained with 200 mM NaCl level. Soluble sugars content were affected by both SALINITY and ecotype. The highest content of soluble sugars was achieved by Malayer ecotype. With increasing SALINITY level, the content of soluble sugars increased and the highest amount of soluble sugars content was recorded at 200 mM NaCl.

Alfalfa (Medicago saliva) is the most important forage crop which has a good situation for cultivating in saline soils. Four lines named, Golestan (20313), F.A.O (2566), Sistan and Baluchestan and Ahar Hamedani as a tolerant, susceptible, semi tolerant and semi susceptible lines, respectively, were used for evaluation of SALINITY effects on recovery growth after SALINITY STRESS and non STRESSed conditions. The experiment was conducted in perlyt filled pots in greenhouse which recovered after 5 SALINITY levels using 3 times replicated experiment in RCBD based factorial design. After second cutting the pots were leached with adequate distilled water and used Hoegland nutrition solution for irrigation. After flowering (third cutting) the height, tiller number per plants, internode number per main stem, leaf dry weight, stem dry weight and shoot dry weight were measured. Recovery after SALINITY STRESS showed significant differences in above mentioned characters. Line X Recovery interactions on tiller number per plant, stem dry weight and shoot dry weight were significant at 5% probability. Stem dry weight had the highest correlation to shoot dry weight (R2>0.925).Increasing SALINITY before second cutting leaded to better recovery and increased higher yield than control plants in all of the lines. F.A.O line (2566) showed the most recovery from STRESS based on measured characters.

Two experiments with factorial arrangements on the basis of randomized complete block design in three replications were conducted in 2007 and 2008, to evaluate chlorophyll content index (CCI), fluorescence of chlorophyll, proline content and grain yield of three soybean cultivars (Williams, Zan and L17) under a non-saline (control) and three saline (3, 6 and 9 ds/m NaCl) conditions in the greenhouse. Six seeds were sown in each pot filled with 900 g perlite, using 144 pots in each experiment. After emergence, seedlings were thinned and four plants were kept in each pot. Zan had the highest leaf proline content, but the lowest CCI, chlorophyll fluorescence and grain yield per plant. However, these traits were statistically similar with those of L17 and Williams. The chlorophyll content index and fluorescence of chlorophyll in soybean leaves decreased with increasing SALINITY. Reduction in chlorophyll fluorescence due to SALINITY STRESS was related to the damage of chlorophyll under saline conditions. In contrast, leaf proline content increased as SALINITY increased. Mean grain yield per plant under SALINITY STRESS was much less than that under non-saline conditions. These reductions were closely related with low CCI and PS II activity (fv/fm) and high leaf proline content in soybean cultivars. It was concluded that soybean is a sensitive plant to SALINITY STRESS, but the extent of this sensitivity varies among cultivars.

Several models have within the recent years been presented for water, soil and plant relationships one of which is AquaCrop model, and which in this study was employed to predict sugarcane yield as well as soil SALINITY profiles under SALINITY STRESS in southern Khuzestan. In order to attain some of the required number of input factors, the model was calibrated, i.e. the surface of soil covered by individual seedlings, at their 90% emergence, maximum canopy cover as well as harvest index was determined. These coefficients were recorded as 7.2 (cm2), 90% and 40% respectively. The model was then performed and simulated with the measured values being compared, using statistical indicators. The coefficient of determination between the measured vs simulated yield data was obtained 0.97, the normal Root Mean Square Error 8%, Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency 0.83 and the coefficient of residual mass -0.09. The results indicated that the model is of acceptable performance to estimate sugarcane yield and that the model, in the conditions of the current study, had overestimated the figure. Also, the coefficient of determination of soil SALINITY was estimated at over 80% and that the model had estimated the level of soil SALINITY more than that found through measurement.

Introduction: Low precipitation, high temperature and high evaporation along with excessive consumption of water sources have led to reduced quantity and quality of water sources (e. g. water salinization) in arid and semi-arid regions which ultimately affect crop growth. Environmental STRESSes such as SALINITY, cause alterations in a wide range of physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes in plants. So, identification of plants which are less affected by SALINITY could be of great importance in breeding programs. Kochia (Bassia scoparia) is such a crop which its high tolerance to SALINITY has been reported in previous studies. Since photosynthesis is the most fundamental and intricate physiological process in all green plants determining plant yield under SALINITY STRESS, the aim of this study was evaluation of the effects of SALINITY on photosynthetic characteristics of kochia. Materials and Methods: In order to study photosynthetic characteristics of kochia under SALINITY conditions, an experiment was conducted as split-plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Three masses of kochia including Birjand, Borujerd and Sabzevar were considered in main plots and three levels of SALINITY (5. 2, 10. 5 and 23. 1 dS. m-1) as sub-plots. Photosynthesis, evapotranspiration, stomatal conductance, Sub-stomatal CO2 concentration and quantum yield of PSII were measured in the youngest fully expanded leaf for seven weeks started from thirty days after imposing STRESS. Chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids and green area were measured at anthesis. Data were analyzed using Minitab 16 and means were compared by LSD test at a significance level of 0. 05. Results and Discussion: Results indicated that photosynthesis and evapotranspiration was decreased over the time after SALINITY imposed. Photosynthesis and evapotranspiration in different masses and SALINITY levels was almost the same in the 8th week after imposing SALINITY STRESS. At the end of the growth season, photosynthesis and evapotranspiration indicated too much decrease in all SALINITY levels and reached to a same level. In the 4th week after SALINITY was imposed, the highest photosynthesis was observed in Birjand, Sabzevar and Borujerd, respectively. Reduction intensity of evapotranspiration in time was more in Birjand compared to Borujerd and Sabzevar masses. CO2 sub-stomatal CO2 showed a pronounced increase in all masses and a SALINITY levels in the 8th weeks after SALINITY imposed. Results of chlorophyll fluorescence indices in the SALINITY imposing period indicated an improvement of these indices and finally the increase in quantum yield of photosystem II. Stomatal conductance showed a decreasing trend during time and reached to the lowest level in the 11th week after imposing STRESS. The lowest mean of this parameter was belong to Sabzevar mass. Stomatal conductance did not vary much till tenth week after imposing SALINITY while it got a steep slope decreasing trend in the other two SALINITY levels in week seven. Decreasing trend of stomatal conductance was stronger in treatments of 10. 5 and 23. 1 dS. m-1 compared to 5. 2dS. m-1. Leaf content of chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids and total pigments at anthesis were not affected by kochia masses and SALINITY levels. Interaction of SALINITY and mass indicated a lower green area in higher SALINITY levels. The highest and lowest green area was observed in Borujerd mass in SALINITY levels of 5. 2 and 23. 1 dS. m-1, respectively. Conclusions: Results of this experiment indicated that photosynthesis and quantum yield of PSII in kochia did not vary much as SALINITY intensity increased. Also, content of photosynthesis pigments was not affected by SALINITY STRESS. Generally, it could be concluded that photosynthesis system of kochia is capable to maintain its normal processes although being imposed to sever SALINITY STRESS and though could be used as a model crop in plant breeding programs.

Canola as one of the crops which is being cultivated in order to produce edible oil, have essential importance, however, it is severely influenced by salt STRESS. In the aim of studying effects of SALINITY on the growth characteristics and proteome profiling changes, Sarigol (salt-sensitive) was cultured under greenhouse conditions and SALINITY STRESS exerted at three levels, including 0, 175 and 350 mM NaCl. Seeds were sown in the current hydroponic system. To study the changes of proteome profile, 2-dimentional gel electrophoresis technique was used. The results indicated that fresh weight, shoot dry weight, shoot height, grain yield, and 100-grain weight significantly decreased with increasing intensity of SALINITY STRESS and proline concentration increased in leaves as well. Comparing the proteome profile of seed demonstrated that 29 spots with differentially expression changes occurred under 350 mM NaCl. Differentially expression spots were identified and grouped in six functional categorize, including carbon metabolism, defense/detoxification, storage proteins, photosynthetic, nitrogen metabolism, and synthesis/degradation. The majority of identified proteins involved in carbon metabolism and defense/detoxification. Salt STRESS decreased significantly the growth characters of Sarigol and altered proteome profile and protein expression of seeds. More than 60% of spots indicated significant down-regulation.

SALINITY is one of the most important problems that restrict cultivation of crops in arid and semi-arid regions. Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is one of the most important trees that grow in these restricts. In this greenhouse study, the effects of SALINITY on growth of pistachio rootstock Badami evaluated. Seedlings were grown in plastic bags containing perlite. SALINITY was imposed, by adding salts Nacl and Cacl2 to the pots to obtain concentration of 0, 100, 200 mM Nacl and Cacl2. 150 days after salt treatment, pistachio seedlings were harvested and length of shoots and roots, number of leaves and fresh and dry weight of shoot and root were measured. Photosynthesis and transpiration rates were measured before harvesting the plants. Also Chlorophyll fluorescence of plants measured. SALINITY decreased shoots and to some extent root growth and number of leaves per plant in comparison with the control. Salt treatments reduced length of shoot and fresh and dry weight of shoots, but these values were more in roots for Cacl2 in comparison with control. Photosynthesis rate reduced in response to SALINITY but for Nacl treatments was more than the other. Transpiration rates and chlorophyll fluorescence did not show any significant differences with control. Data obtained in present study emphasized that growth Badami rootstock is affected by SALINITY and Nacl more than Cacl2 reduced growth of this rootstock. The aim of this study was to evaluate response of Badami rootstock to different level of SALINITY.