Salt is a potent abiotic stress that arrests plant growth by impairing their physio-biochemical and molecular processes. However, it is unknown how the ABA signaling system and vacuolar-type Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter proteins induce stress tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings. The present study aimed to identify salt-responsive proteins and signaling pathways involved in the resistance of wheat to salt stress. We explored the proteome profile, 20 amino acids, 14 carbohydrates, 8 major phytohormones, ion content, and salt tolerance genes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv.) under 200 mM NaCl with control plants for six days. The results showed that amino acids such as alanine, serine, proline, glutamine, and aspartic acid were highly expressed under salt stress compared with control plants, suggesting that amino acids are the main players in salinity tolerance. The ABA signaling system was activated in response to salinity stress through the modulation of protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) and ABA-responsive element binding factor (ABF), resulting in an ABA-mediated downstream response. Additionally, the vacuolar-type Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter was identified as a key protein in salt stress tolerance via compartmentalizing Na⁺ in the vacuole. Furthermore, a significant increase in the abundance of the 14-3-3 protein was noticed in salt-fed plants, suggesting that this protein plays an important role in Na⁺ compartmentalization. Moreover, up-regulation of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and thioredoxin-scavenged reactive oxygen species resulted in improved plant growth under salt stress. These data will help to identify salt-responsive proteins that can be used in future breeding programs to develop salt-tolerant varieties.

The proper maintenance of soil physiochemical properties in grassland ecosystems through independent management practices like grazing and mowing have strongly influenced the soil quality and grassland yield. Less known is, to declare the best-fit management strategy for the grassland ecosystem. The present study was performed to search for the best-fit management system for the grassland ecosystem in northern China by evaluating the consequences of grazing and mowing on soil physiochemical properties like soil moisture, bulk density, electrical conductivity, pH, and total concentrations of C, N, and P. We found that compared to mowing, grazing significantly increased soil moisture, bulk density, and N concentration by 12%, 7%, and 14%, respectively. However, no significant effect of grazing was observed on soil C and P concentrations and C: N, C: P, and N: P ratios. However, grazing was found to strongly affect soil physiochemical properties; in contrast, mowing did not alter the soil C, N, and P concentrations and their stoichiometric ratios. Further, physical properties were altered more significantly than the soil chemical properties. This study suggests that, compared to mowing, cattle grazing has more positive impacts on soil physicochemical properties which will be the best-fit management strategy for the grassland ecosystem in northeastern China. A comprehensive investigation of long-term grazing and mowing on soil physicochemical properties may enable us to predict further better understandings.