Selection for salt tolerance and its genetic basis in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Abstract

Salt tolerance of two selected lines of Lolium perenne L. (high selection and low selection) was assessed in comparison with control unselected line after three weeks growth in solution culture at 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 mol m-3 NaCl. The high selection line had significiantly higher root growth compared with the low selection and unselected lines at all salt concentrations. In order to assess the usefulness of a second cycle of selection, 8000 seeds of each of the high selection and unselected (control) lines were screened after three weeks growth in 325 mol m-3 NaCl. A large number of individuals in the high selection line produced remarkably longer roots than the control lines. Pair crosses were made between the high selection and the low selection in order to investigate additive genetic component at two NaCl treatments, 150 and 250 mol m-3, Additive genetic component was quite high at both the salt treatments.