Unique responses of three highly salt-tolerant wild Vigna species against salt stress

The genus Vigna contains important crops such as cowpea and mungbean. Wild Vigna showing higher salt tolerance than Vigna crops were screened and their tolerance mechanisms are discussed. Primary screening using 7 Vigna crops and 23 wild Vigna under 300 mM NaCl selected V. luteola, V. marina and V. vexillata. A study under different salt concentrations revealed the highest survival ability of V. marina. Diversity of salt tolerance in each species was revealed using a total of 230 accessions. Growth and physiological responses under 150 mM NaCl were then compared using two selected accessions from each species. The pattern of Na+ accumulation in roots, stems and leaves suggested that V. vexillata (V1) and V. luteola (L8, L9) are ‘Na+ excluder’ type, while V. marina (M1, M4) is ‘Na+ includer’ type. V. luteola (L8, L9) showed the highest dry matter production under control condition and well-maintained shoot dry weight under salt stress. Interestingly, V. luteola (L9) accumulated the highest Na+ in roots (3000 μM g−1) and increased root dry weight under salt stress, which might work as Na+ reservoir restricting Na+ transition to the leaves, leading to the increased photosynthetic rate. V. luteola has great potential in areas where moderate salt damage occurs. V. marina (M1, M4) accumulated Na+ at high level in roots, stem, and leaves. Under salt stress, they increased stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and photosynthetic rate, which suggested the adaptational regulation of aquaporin gene expression. V. marina will be useful as food, pasture and phytoremediation legumes in highly salt-damaged areas.