[Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of salt stress on cell expansion in Arabidopsis thaliana rosette leaves.[Method] Arabidopsis seedlings were treated by sodium chloride at the concentration of 0,100 or 150 mmol/L. At the 7th and 14th d of treatment,with nail enamel printing mark method and computer software,the leaf blades area and abaxial epidermal pavement cells area was measured and compared using statistical analysis in Excel. [Result] The growth of Arabidopsis rosette leaves was inhibited under salt stress. Leaves treated for 7 or 14 d expanded less compared with controls. The salt-mediated decrease in leaf expansion is associated with a decrease in abaxial pavement cell expansion. [Conclusion] The decreased leaf and epidermal cell expansion under salt stress is the most important characteristic of plant physiological response to salt stress.
