The role of carbohydrates on the salt tolerance of jojoba [Simmondsia chinensis (Link)] explants in vitro

Jojoba [Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider.] explants were cultured in vitro under four levels of sodium chloride concentration during the shoot proliferation stage. The dry weight of explants as well as their water and carbohydrate content were determined during a three-month period at month intervals. Jojoba explants were tolerant to salinity up to a certain level (0.66 % w/v sodium chloride), showing increased water uptake and dry weight compared to the control. Sucrose and pinitol content were found to be higher in explants grown under saline conditions, while the opposite stood for glucose. Fructose, inositol and starch content did not exhibit any significant changes with salinity. Carbohydrates may play an osmoprotective role in jojoba salt tolerance under in vitro conditions, by enhancing water uptake from the medium up to a certain salinity level (0.66 % w/v), revealing thus an adaptive response of the species against the increased salinization of the growth medium.