Abscisic acid alters carbohydrate accumulation induced by differential response to sodium salts in the halophyte Prosopis strombulifera

The role of abscisic acid (ABA) was analyzed in roots and leaves of the halophyte Prosopis strombulifera in response to low osmotic potential (psi o: -1.0, -1.9, and -2.6 MPa) induced by sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), and the iso-osmotic combination of both compounds (NaCl + Na2SO4). P. strombulifera plants were sprayed with ABA, as well as with inhibitors of ABA biosynthesis (sodium tungstate and fluridone). Different parameters were measured, including total plant height, leaf number, root length, root and shoot biomass, water content, transpiration rate, and total soluble carbohydrates, specific carbohydrates and ABA concentrations. Results showed that sodium salts affected growth parameters in varying ways, depending on the type of salts used as well as the osmotic potentials. ABA-sprayed plants displayed the lowest transpiration values. These plants had a higher content of total soluble carbohydrates in roots, greater root biomass and length and increased root/shoot rate. This study shows that ABA triggers different biochemical and physiological responses after the perception of a stressful condition, and that the interaction between different concentrations and types of salts, and the addition of ABA or its inhibitors generates responses that affect development and growth in the halophyte P. strombulifera.