Fig. 6

VTC2 functions downstream of ABI4 in modulating seedling growth under salt stress through modifying ascorbic acid (AsA) biosynthesis and reactive oxygen species accumulation. a Seedling growth phenotype of abi4–103, vtc2 and abi4 vtc2 mutants under 100 mM NaCl treatment with or without 40 μM AsA. Bar = 1.4 cm. b Root length of abi4–103, vtc2 and abi4 vtc2 mutants in (A). c Relative values of root length in (B). The root length of Col-0 and all mutants under normal growth conditions was normalized as “1”. d Contents of AsA in Col-0, abi4–103, vtc2 and abi4 vtc2 under the salt stress treatment. e H₂O₂ and f O₂⁻ in Col-0, abi4–103, vtc2 and abi4 vtc2 under the salt stress treatment with or without 40 μM AsA. 7-day-old seedlings were treated with 100 mM NaCl (with or without 40 μM AsA) for 24 h. Values are means ± SD (n = 3). Statistically significant differences are indicated by different letters (P < 0.05, ANOVA with Tukey’s test). FW, fresh weight