2009) what makes Tamarix unique (Meinhardt and Gehring 2013). In addition to
these compounds stored and secreted by Tamarix, chemical compounds such as
polyphenols that are produced by the plant itself as a chemical defense against
herbivores and pathogens (Ksouri et al. 2009), and they are considered as the most
important product due to abiotic stress (Saïdana et al. 2008; Meinhardt and Gehring
2013). Polyphenols have been shown to have antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activity (Sultanova et al. 2001; Saïdana et al. 2008; Ksouri et al. 2009; Bettaib
et al. 2017; Bencherif et al. 2019c). The compositions of polyphenols differ from
Tamarix species to another one, for that we listed the polyphenolic compounds of
T. gallica and T. articulata (aphylla) with their role in the alleviation of abiotic
stress. The study of polyphenolic compounds revealed that their secretion is related
to induction of some genes, which are induced by abiotic stress, but there is no study
proven the efficiency of these genes on the antioxidant properties of polyphenols and
their role in the stress resistance process. However, they are considered as a marker
of stress because their concentration was higher in summer with high temperatures
(Fevreau 2012). On the other hand, the abilities of Tamarix species to survive under
drought and salt stress have been used to identify abiotic stress tolerance-related
genes. That leading to the identification of two groups of genes: Late embryogenesis
abundant (LEA) genes and dehydration-responsive element binding (DREB) genes
(Swaminathan et al. 2020). Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are a type
of highly hydrophilic glycine-rich protein with antioxidant, metal ion binding,
membrane and protein stabilization, hydration buffering, DNA, and RNA interaction
properties. They play an important role in protecting cells from abiotic stress, and in
plant normal growth and development. More importantly, LEA expression is often
induced by abiotic stresses such as cold, drought, or high salinity (Chen et al. 2019).
Many studies were focused on LEA genes of some Tamarix species (T. hispida,
T. androssowii, and T. chinensis) in order to identify genes responsible in tolerance
to salt stress. These genes are used to confer abiotic stress resistance to other species
such as rice and poplar species (Gao et al. 2014; Wang et al. 2016; Swaminathan
et al. 2020).
14.4.1 Biochemical and Physiological Adaptation Strategies
of T. articulata to Abiotic Stress
This concerns all changes affecting the internal functionality of the plant.
14.4.1.1 Neutralization of Reactive Oxygen Species Damages
Under drought, salinity, and high calcareous condition T. articulata as the same as
all plants, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage plant tissues. Excess
of ROS expression induces severe oxidative threats to cell components including:
protein, lipid, DNA and RNA associated with cell structural damage, tissue injury,
and gene mutation (Bettaib et al. 2017). To counteract the toxicity of ROS, T.
articulata develops an enzymatic complex and nonenzymatic antioxidant defense
systems. Such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) that acts to scavenging superoxide
14 Biological Overview and Adaptability Strategies of Tamarix Plants, T.. . .
417
these compounds stored and secreted by Tamarix, chemical compounds such as
polyphenols that are produced by the plant itself as a chemical defense against
herbivores and pathogens (Ksouri et al. 2009), and they are considered as the most
important product due to abiotic stress (Saïdana et al. 2008; Meinhardt and Gehring
2013). Polyphenols have been shown to have antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activity (Sultanova et al. 2001; Saïdana et al. 2008; Ksouri et al. 2009; Bettaib
et al. 2017; Bencherif et al. 2019c). The compositions of polyphenols differ from
Tamarix species to another one, for that we listed the polyphenolic compounds of
T. gallica and T. articulata (aphylla) with their role in the alleviation of abiotic
stress. The study of polyphenolic compounds revealed that their secretion is related
to induction of some genes, which are induced by abiotic stress, but there is no study
proven the efficiency of these genes on the antioxidant properties of polyphenols and
their role in the stress resistance process. However, they are considered as a marker
of stress because their concentration was higher in summer with high temperatures
(Fevreau 2012). On the other hand, the abilities of Tamarix species to survive under
drought and salt stress have been used to identify abiotic stress tolerance-related
genes. That leading to the identification of two groups of genes: Late embryogenesis
abundant (LEA) genes and dehydration-responsive element binding (DREB) genes
(Swaminathan et al. 2020). Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are a type
of highly hydrophilic glycine-rich protein with antioxidant, metal ion binding,
membrane and protein stabilization, hydration buffering, DNA, and RNA interaction
properties. They play an important role in protecting cells from abiotic stress, and in
plant normal growth and development. More importantly, LEA expression is often
induced by abiotic stresses such as cold, drought, or high salinity (Chen et al. 2019).
Many studies were focused on LEA genes of some Tamarix species (T. hispida,
T. androssowii, and T. chinensis) in order to identify genes responsible in tolerance
to salt stress. These genes are used to confer abiotic stress resistance to other species
such as rice and poplar species (Gao et al. 2014; Wang et al. 2016; Swaminathan
et al. 2020).
14.4.1 Biochemical and Physiological Adaptation Strategies
of T. articulata to Abiotic Stress
This concerns all changes affecting the internal functionality of the plant.
14.4.1.1 Neutralization of Reactive Oxygen Species Damages
Under drought, salinity, and high calcareous condition T. articulata as the same as
all plants, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage plant tissues. Excess
of ROS expression induces severe oxidative threats to cell components including:
protein, lipid, DNA and RNA associated with cell structural damage, tissue injury,
and gene mutation (Bettaib et al. 2017). To counteract the toxicity of ROS, T.
articulata develops an enzymatic complex and nonenzymatic antioxidant defense
systems. Such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) that acts to scavenging superoxide
14 Biological Overview and Adaptability Strategies of Tamarix Plants, T.. . .
417