Polyamine Homeostasis and Morphophysiological Responses to Salinity in Dizygostemon riparius: An Endemic Species from Brazilian ‘Cerrado’ Biome
<i>Dizygostemon riparius</i> is an endemic tropical Brazilian species whose physiological responses to salinity are poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of NaCl (0, 50, and 100 mM) on in vitro-grown <i>D. riparius</i> by integrating growth, anatomical, photosynthetic, and biochemical analyses. Salinity significantly reduced biomass and growth parameters, indicating impaired development. Photosystem II efficiency declined, as evidenced by decreases in the performance index and chlorophyll content, while anatomical changes such as epidermal thickening and reduced vascular bundles reflected structural adjustments under stress. At the biochemical level, salinity altered polyamine metabolism, with reductions in total free polyamines, suggesting potential limitations in defense mechanisms. Hyperhydricity observed under high salinity indicated a non-adaptive response. Overall, <i>D. riparius</i> displayed limited tolerance to salt stress, with physiological and biochemical impairments outweighing structural plasticity. This study provides the first data-driven characterization of salinity effects in this species and highlights the value of in vitro culture as a tool to investigate stress responses.
Authors
- Claudete Santa‐Catarina (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1669-660X)
- Sérgio Heitor Sousa Felipe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4529-9547)
- Jordanya Ferreira Pinheiro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1188-1379)
- Fabrício de Oliveira Reis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1781-3695)
- Givago Lopes Alves (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6455-6062)
- Thaís Roseli Corrêa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3131-4996)
- Fábio Afonso Mazzei Moura de Assis Figueiredo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6904-9828)
- Tiago Massi Ferraz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9840-3523)
- Diego Silva Batista (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5798-7761)
- Juliane Maciel Henschel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0805-5060)
- Aldilene da Silva Lima (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5704-9222)
- Vitória Karla de Oliveira Silva-Moraes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7689-0052)
- Marion Nayon Braga Soares (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0765-8269)
- Irislene Cutrim Albuquerque (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0276-0535)
- L.H.M. Marinho
Institutions
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba (BR)
- State University of Norte Fluminense (BR)
- Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (BR)
- Universidade Estadual do Maranhão (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Biology
- Published
- 2025-10-25
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14111494
- Primary Topic
- Polyamine Metabolism and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Universidade Estadual do Maranhão
- Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico