Genetic Gains and Stability for Germination Salt Tolerance in Alfalfa

Abstract

Improving the germination salt tolerance of alfalfa will help this crop endure both increasingly saline irrigation water and salt build -up in the soil. Seven previous cycles of selection for salt tolerance at germination plus the parental line, Mesa-Sirsa, were evaluated for percentage germination under various levels of NaCI solutions. Germination improved linearly from the earliest to the latest cycle of selection. Germination salt tolerance can be improved through recurrent selection techniques.