Effects of NaCl Stress on Generation of Root Border Cells in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

The effects of NaCl on cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plant biomass,root length,root activity and the generation of the root border cells were investigated.The results showed that NaCl treatment led to decrease of plant biomass and root length and increase of root activity.The primal border cells occurred nearly synchronously with primary root tip growth in cucumber.The number and the viability of border cells reached maximum when root length extended to 25 mm.Both the number and activities of the border cells in vitro roots were gradually dropped while NaCl concentration increased and treatment time extended.In contrast,the mucilage thickness increased with elevation of NaCl concentration.In general,the root border cells could secrete mucilage and self-decompose under NaCl stress,which might protect root tip from NaCl toxicity in some degree.