Cell selection with heavy metal ions for obtaining salt tolerant plant cell cultures

Abstract

The cell selection with heavy metal ions was proposed for obtaining salt tolerant plant cell lines. On selective media with the addition of Ba 2+ cations resistant soybean and wheat cell variants were obtained. Doses of Ba 2+ cations were lethal for wild type cell cultures. The selected clones were tested under stress pressure of various agents: Ba 2+ ions, sea water salts, sodium sulfate. Resistant cells sustained any type of lethal stress. Calli retained salt tolerance after cultivation on salt-free medium during several passages. During cultivation under salinity cells demonstrated low K + /Na + ratios and high free proline accumulation. The Ba 2+ provoked oppo-site cell reactions. It is assumed that combined stress resistance is concerned with realization of different protection mechanisms.