Effect of chilling and salinity stress on photosynthetic performance and ultrastructure of chloroplast in faba beans (Vicia faba L.) leaves

Abstract Chilling (Ch) and salinity (S) are challenging stresses affecting plant physiology, growth, productivity. The current study investigated the effects of these two stresses, singly in combination, on photosynthetic performance ultrastructure chloroplast faba beans ( Vicia L. Cv. Aspani). Plants were exposed to 3 °C 120 mM NaCl for 16 h an optimized soil mixture (sand:clay 2:1) under conditions. Results showed that both Ch S significantly reduced rates, F v / m , chlorophyll content, stomatal index, conductance. caused changes (swelling, ruptured envelopes, shrunk lamellae), while more deformation thylakoid membrane disorganization grana structure. However, there was antagonistic effect between x S. tolerance NaCl, present study, improved by exposure which rather allowed maintenance morphology stomata. Moreover, using SEM TEM gave effective insight ultrastructural damage cells stress helps consider underlying mechanisms effects. Our results suggest mitigates noxious plants.