Abstract
Salinity stress can greatly reduce seed production because plants are especially sensitive to salt during their reproductive stage. Here, we show that the sodium ion transporter AtHKT1;1 is specifically expressed around the phloem and xylem of the stamen in Arabidopsis thaliana to prevent a marked decrease in seed production caused by salt stress. The stamens of AtHKT1;1 mutant under salt stress overaccumulate Na(+), limiting their elongation and resulting in male sterility. Specifically restricting AtHKT1;1 expression to the phloem leads to a 1.5-fold increase in the seed yield upon sodium ion stress. Expanding phloem expression of AtHKT1;1 throughout the entire plant is a promising strategy for increasing plant productivity under salinity stress.