NaCl improves reproduction by enhancing starch accumulation in the ovules of the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa

Background Halophytes show optimal reproduction under high-salinity conditions. However, the role of NaCl in reproduction and its possible mechanisms in the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa remain to be elucidated. Results We performed transcript profiling of S. salsa flowers and measured starch accumulation in ovules, sugar contents in flowers, and photosynthetic parameters in the leaves of plants supplied with 0 and 200 mM NaCl. Starch accumulation in ovules, sugar contents in flowers and ovules, and net photosynthetic rate and photochemical efficiency in leaves were significantly higher in NaCl-treated plants vs. the control. We identified 14,348 differentially expressed genes in flowers of NaCl-treated vs. control plants. Many of these genes were predicted to be associated with photosynthesis, carbon utilization, and sugar and starch metabolism. These genes are crucial for maintaining photosystem structure, regulating electron transport, and improving photosynthetic efficiency in NaCl-treated plants. In addition, genes encoding fructokinase and sucrose phosphate synthase were upregulated in flowers of NaCl-treated plants. Conclusions The higher starch and sugar contents in the ovules and flowers of S. salsa in response to NaCl treatment are likely due to the upregulation of genes involved in photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism, which increase photosynthetic efficiency and accumulation of photosynthetic products under these conditions.