Salt effects on alfalfa and sainfoin

Authors

1 Islamic Azacl University, Jiroft branch, Jiroft, Iran

2 Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, P.o. Box 13185-116, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Salintiy is an important environmental stress which restrict agricultural yield. The effect of salt (NaCl) was studied on germination and vegetative growth of two alfalfa (Australian line 2129 and Ghra-Youngeh, Iranian alfalfa) and one sainfoin from Golpaygan, Iran. The split-plots experimental design was used to carry out the main effect (genotypes) and salt levels as sub plots (0, 75, 125, 175 and 225 mM). There were two separate experiments, one for germination and the other at vegetative stage. Plants were establish in the pots at glass house. All pots were irrigated for 52 days with tap water. Then, they irrigated with 200 cm3 water containing the five levels of salt, for 49 days, and one time per week.
The leaf water potential, shoot height, root length and shoot and root dry weight were recorded. At low levels of salinity (0, 75 and 125 mM), the Australian line 2129 had greater germination and vegetative growth than the Iranian alfalfa (Gharah-Youngeh) and sainfoin, whereas at high levels of salinity (175 and 225 mM) Gharah- Youngeh had greater germination and vegetative growth than the Australian alfalfa and sainfoin.
Although the Golpayganian sainfoin had lower growth rate than the two alfalfa genotypes at all levels of salinity, but had lower leaf water potential. It means, sainfoin may have greater salt tolerance.

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