Novel slow anion channel SLAC/SLAH family protein, SaSLAH3, may be involved in Suaeda altissima (L.) transpiration control under various light treatments

Abstract Water Use Efficiency (WUE) regulation plays a key role in the plant response to global climate changes such as warming (New et al. in Philos Trans R Soc A Math Phys Eng Sci 369:6–19, 2011). Nowadays enhanced plant drought tolerance has become a priority trait in current crop improvement efforts. To gain insight into water requirement regulation of the drought-resistant halophyte Sueda altissima we determined WUE i under various light conditions. RBL combination (50% red, 50% blue) contributed to twice stomatal conductance/transpiration decreases and a more pronounced response to green/far-red supplementation compared to glycophytic species. The most rapid WUE i improvement was observed under far-red light conditions (0% R 660 + 100% FR). The critical role in halophyte growth and development played optimization of red-blue-green light balance in the spectrum. Besides, we also investigated moderate or strong (r > 0.5, r > 0.8) correlations between stomatal conductance ( g s ), transpiration (E), WUE i and consequently SaSLAH3 expression. Moreover, this report identified 14- and 20-fold higher than control expression increases in responce to R/FR used together. These results suggested that SLAH3 channels have to be involved in phytochrome-controlled pathways of stomatal aperture regulation.