Mangroves Reveal Cellular Secrets of Salt Tolerance

Recently, international researchers uncovered why mangroves can survive and thrive in saltwater environments that kill most plants.

• The study explains how specific cellular traits allow mangroves to tolerate extreme salinity, offering clues for developing salt-resilient crops amid rising sea levels.

How do mangroves survive in saltwater?

• Unique Cellular Adaptations: Mangroves possess smaller epidermal pavement cells and thicker cell walls, giving them added mechanical strength to withstand low osmotic potential created by saline conditions.
• Salt Regulation Strategies: Some mangrove species prevent excess salt uptake through a waxy root barrier that filters out salt while drawing in freshwater.
• Evolutionary Resilience: Mangroves have evolved independently more ....