Genotypic control of root sodium uptake drives ion imbalance and stress sensitivity under salinity and waterlogging

The impacts of individual salinity (‘ST’) and waterlogging (‘WL’) on crops are well-documented; however, the synergistic effects of concurrent salinity and waterlogging (‘SWL’) have garnered less scientific scrutiny. Here, we investigated the individual and combined effects of ‘SWL’ on four soybean ( Glycine max ) genotypes: BU3, PK472, Williams 82 (W82) and DT2008. Phenotypic and growth-related analyses under all stresses, particularly ‘SWL’, revealed genotype-specific responses, with PK472, BU3, and W82 exhibiting significant sensitivity and biomass reduction. In contrast, DT2008 demonstrated exceptional resilience, maintaining superior growth and minimal phenotypic damage, even under ‘SWL’. These contrasting responses identified DT2008 as the most tolerant genotype and PK472 as the most sensitive one, demanding their further investigations into underlying mechanisms. PK472 exhibited ionic disruptions,…