Understanding the significance of sulfur in improving salinity tolerance in plants

Salinity is a major abiotic stress factor affecting plant growth and productivity worldwide. The salinity-induced reduction in photosynthesis, growth and development of plants is associated with ionic/osmotic effects, nutritional imbalance or oxidative stress. Plants develop several mechanisms to induce tolerance to overcome salinity effects. Of the several possible mechanisms to reduce the effects of salinity stress, management of mineral nutrients status of plants can be the efficient defense system. Sulfur (S) is an important plant nutrient involved in plant growth and development. It is considered fourth in importance after nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It is an integral part of several important compounds, such as vitamins, co-enzymes, phytohormones and reduced sulfur compounds that decipher growth and vigor of plants under optimal and stress conditions. The present review focuses on improving our understanding on the salinity effects on physiology and metabolism of plants and the importance of sulfur in salinity tolerance. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.