Research on the adaptive mechanism of photosynthetic apparatus under salt stress: New directions to increase crop yield in saline soils

Abstract Photosynthesis is the largest organic synthesis on Earth, salinity limits crop yield and quality worldwide directly or indirectly related to the decrease in photosynthetic efficiency. The mechanism by which photosynthetic apparatus responds to salt stress is extremely complex and varies with plant genotype, developmental stage, the history of the plant cell and duration of stress imposed. Recent studies have partially revealed the mechanisms from different levels: molecular, physiological and biochemical, morphological; but there is currently no unified mechanism to explain the effect of stress on photosynthesis. This study comprehensively reviews the adaptive mechanism of photosynthetic apparatus under salt stress, summarises methods for increasing the resistance and provides a practical way to increase grain yield in saline soils.