Genetic Diversity and Synergistic Modulation of Salinity Tolerance Genes in Coss.

Coss. (2n = 2x = 14, DD) is a problematic weed and a rich source of genetic material for wheat crop improvement programs. We used physiological traits (plant height, dry weight biomass, Na and K concentration) and 14 microsatellite markers to evaluate the genetic diversity and salinity tolerance in 40 populations. The molecular marker allied with salinity stress showed polymorphisms, and a cluster analysis divided the populations into different groups, which indicated diversity among populations. Results showed that the expression level of and were significantly induced during salinity stress treatments (50 and 200 mM), while showed relative expression in roots, and was expressed in leaves under the control conditions. Compared with the control conditions, the expression level of significantly increased 1.7-fold under 50 mM salinity stress and 4.7-fold under 200 mM salinity stress in the roots of . showed a relative expression level of 1.6-fold under 50 mM salinity stress and 4.6-fold under 200 mM salinity stress compared with the control conditions. The results provide strong evidence that, under salinity stress conditions, and synergistically regulate the Na homeostasis through regulating Na transport in . sequestrated the Na into vacuoles, which control the regulation of Na transport from roots to leaves under salinity stress conditions in .