Most research on plant response to salinity is conducted under homogeneous conditions. But are these trials under near-uniform soil salinity optimal for identifying traits valuable for increasing plant tolerance to the reality of heterogeneous salinity? (2/11)

Soil salinity is highly heterogeneous, influenced by factors like soil characteristics, climate, and irrigation. Non-saline patches can coexist with highly saline ones and this makes salinity management challenging in modern micro-irrigated agriculture. (3/11)

Split-root experiments show that plants respond differently to heterogeneous and uniform salinities, with roots playing a central role in stress perception, long-distance communication, and nutrient acquisition. (4/11)

Local high salinity patches are sensed by individual cells and integrated into organ-level processes, triggering multiple constraints ranging from reduced water availability to dramatic increases in ROS accumulation. (5/11)

Plant's root system is a highly dynamic physical network that adapts to find resources, even in soil with varying levels of salinity. Compensatory root growth in non-saline areas has been associated with increased lateral root growth. (6/11)

Plants must maintain water uptake, and under heterogeneous salinity, aquaporin expression levels play a crucial role in facilitating water diffusion across cell membranes. Dynamic regulation of root hydraulic conductivity and root architecture also impact water acquisition. (7/11)

Heterogeneous salinity can induce variable degrees of stomatal closure and increase plant water use compared to uniform salinity. Long-distance signaling in plants may regulate water relationships by modulating root hydraulic conductivity and stomatal conductance. (8/11)

Nutrient patches in soil can significantly impact root growth and nutrient uptake of crops. Studies have shown that root plasticity plays a crucial role in filling nutrient-rich areas, leading to up to 75% of NO3- supply in tomato plants. (9/11)