Evaluation of salt tolerance in 12 alfalfa varieties at germination stage

ZHANG Fayu; ZHANG Yu; ZHANG Chen; MA Tingting; WANG Yulong; MA Qianlong; TAO Ya; LIU Huan

doi:10.13557/j.cnki.issn1002-2813.2025.24.026

Abstract：This experiment aimed to screen alfalfa varieties suitable for cultivation in saline-alkali soils.Using 12 alfalfa varieties as test materials,the petri dish filter paper germination method was employed.Five sodium chloride(NaCl)concentration gradients were set,included 0(control group),20,40,60,and 80 mmol/L.Eight germination indices were measured,and salt tolerance was comprehensively evaluated using correlation analysis,principal component analysis,and the membership function method.The results showed that as the salt concentration increased,the germination of all varieties was inhibited to varying degrees,with higher concentrations leading to more pronounced inhibition.Membership function analysis revealed that ZC76 had the highest comprehensive evaluation value(D value)of 0.88,ranking first and exhibiting the best salt tolerance among all tested materials.Next were Zhongcao NO.35(ZC35H),Zhongcao NO.13(ZC13H),59N59,and Zhongcao NO.46(ZC46H),with D values of 0.68,0.66,0.63,and 0.56,respectively.The D value of Gannong NO.3(GN3H)was 0.21,indicating the worst salt tolerance of all varieties.The salt tolerance of the 12 varieties,from strong to weak,was as follows:ZC76>ZC35H>ZC13H>59N59>ZC46H>Zhongmu NO.5(ZM5H)>Salt tolerant star(NYZX)>Target(BB)>ZC75>WL298>Zhongmu NO.3(ZM3H)>GN3H.The study shows that salt stress significantly inhibits alfalfa germination,and there are clear differences in salt tolerance among varieties.ZC76,ZC35H,ZC13H,59N59,and ZC46H exhibit strong salt tolerance and are suitable for promotion and cultivation in saline-alkali soil regions.