Abstract
Saline stress is one of most important problems that agriculture must face in the context of climate change. In the Mediterranean basin, one of the regions most affected, persimmon production can be compromised by this effect, due to the limited availability of salt tolerant rootstocks. Seedlings coming from four populations from the Diospyros genus have been exposed to salt stress in order to identify salt tolerance genotypes within these populations. Morphological, physiological, and transcriptomic approaches have revealed different mechanisms of tolerance among the population studied. An HKT1-like gene has been shown to have different root expression related to the salt tolerance phenotypes among and within populations. Additionally, we have observed differences in salt-responsive expression among PIP aquaporin genes. Genetic variability for salt tolerance can be generated in Diospyros species through crossings and used for overcome salt stress. Furthermore, differences in water use efficiency (WUE) have been obtained between and within populations. The information gathered at transcriptomic and physiological level demonstrated natural and heritable variability among Diospyros genus which is the key for salt-tolerant rootstock breeding programs.
Highlights
Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) production in the Mediterranean has increased by five times in the last 20 years (Perucho, 2018)
D. kaki (DK) population resulted in the smallest plants and D. lotus (DL) plants the tallest, backcross (BC), and D. virginiana (DV) populations had a similar initial height
The highest variability in initial phenotype was found in DV and BC populations compared to DK and DL populations
Summary
Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) production in the Mediterranean has increased by five times in the last 20 years (Perucho, 2018). D. lotus is the most commonly used rootstock in the Mediterranean area due to its tolerance to lime-filled soils, Salt Tolerance in Diospyrus Genus adaptability, and absence of basal shoots. D. virginiana, is tolerant to salinity and has a good development in lime-filled soils, but it confers too much vigor to the scion and produces basal shoots, both of which are traits that make crop management difficult (Incesu et al, 2014; de Paz et al, 2016b). D. kaki is the most used rootstock species around the world, because its compatibility with all the cultivars This rootstock is not used in the Mediterranean basin because its sensitivity to lime-filled soils and the weak root system developed in those soils that causes pour and slow development (Bellini and Giordani, 2002)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
