Salinity tolerance of Arabidopsis: a good model for cereals?

Arabidopsis is a glycophyte species that is sensitive to moderate levels of NaCl. Arabidopsis offers unique benefits to genetic and molecular research and has provided much information about both Na(+) transport processes and Na(+) tolerance. A compilation of data available on Na(+) accumulation and Na(+) tolerance in Arabidopsis is presented, and comparisons are made with several crop plant species. The relationship between Na(+) tolerance and Na(+) accumulation is different in Arabidopsis and cereals, with an inverse relationship often found within cereal species that is not as evident in Arabidopsis ecotypes. Results on salinity tolerance obtained in Arabidopsis should therefore be extrapolated to cereals with caution. Arabidopsis remains a useful model to study and discover plant Na(+) transport processes.