Tolerance of five Azarbaijan alfalfa ecotypes to salinity

Breeding for salt tolerance in crop species, if possible, is an economical approach to overcoming the problem of soil salinity. However, the availability of appropriate genetic variation at the intraspecific level is a prerequisite for successful progress under selection. Genetic variation for NaCl tolerance at the seedling and mature plant stage was assessed in five Azarbaijan native alfalfa cultivars. A completely randomized design (CRD) with 5×4 factorial arrangements and three replication were used. Syah-Roud, Gara-Yonjeh, Hasht-Roud, Khor-Khor and Bash-Kand cultivars were used as a first factor and second were three levels of salt and a control. Salt levels were 3.07, 10, 20 and 30 mm mohs (Ec), which were achieved by adding 0, 1.062, 2.431 and 5.071 g kg-1 NaCl to pots soil. Total dry weight, leaves and shoot dry weight, height, number of leaves and leaf/stem ratio (TDW, LDW, SDW, H and NL) were measured. The results indicated that the response was significantly different among cultivars as well as NaCl levels. The NaCl effect was significant in reducing all measured traits of all five ecotypes. Bash-Kand had the highest; Syah-Roud and Gara-Yonjeh cultivars had the lowest yield reduction percentage, respectively. In general, Syah-Roud and Gara-Yonjeh had the highest tolerant to salinity