Abstract
Salinity is a limiting factor in irrigated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production in many regions of the world. Objectives of this project were to evaluate twelve alfalfa cultivar responsesto salinity using laboratory, greenhouse and field experiments. The laboratory experiment evaluated plant germination under increasing levels of salt concentration (0 to 2%) and statistical differences were observed at 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% concentrations (10 000 ppm to 20 000 ppm). The greenhouse experiment evaluated forage production of cultivars using Salt Control Ratio (SCR) values using 3840 ppm irrigation water and significant differences were found between cultivars. The field experiment evaluated forage production under saline field conditions west of Pecos, TX (soil salinity 2131 ppm, water salinity 2950 ppm) with significant differences between cultivar yields.Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), a constrained ordination technique,revealed statistical significance of canonical axes in explaining variation between alfalfa cultivars and laboratory, greenhouse and field experiments.
Highlights
Soil salinity is an issue that affects an estimated 6% of the world’s land surface area or 12 780 million hectares (Mha) and secondary salinization from irrigation impacts an estimated 20% of irrigated land or 1474 Mha (Chinnusamy, et al, 2005; Munns, 2011)
The check cultivars behaved as expected with tolerant cultivars (Mesa Sirsa and Malone) germinating at 36% and 50% respectively under 2.0% salt concentration versus the susceptible cultivars (Rambler and Saranac) germinating at 0% and 10% respectively and they were significantly different (p = 0.009) (Table 4)
Twelve alfalfa cultivars were carried through three primary salt screening procedures
Summary
Soil salinity is an issue that affects an estimated 6% of the world’s land surface area or 12 780 million hectares (Mha) and secondary salinization from irrigation impacts an estimated 20% of irrigated land or 1474 Mha (Chinnusamy, et al, 2005; Munns, 2011). Salinity is a complex issue to characterize due to the many factors that influence a plant’s response to salinity, including: plant, soil, water, environmental and cultural factors (Maas, 1987). Soil salinity has been characterized as one of the most variable properties of soils (Miyamoto, 1988). Salt tolerance evaluation in greenhouse environments may not correlate with field evaluations (Cluff, 1997). Valid field experiments may have difficulty accurately reflecting the www.ccsenet.org/jas
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