A comparative study on salt tolerance during germinating period of different alfalfa varieties

Under the laboratory condition, seeds of 7 alfalfa varieties were treated with 0, 0.3%, 0.6%, 0.9% and 1.2% NaCl with 3 replicates. Salt tolerance of 7 alfalfa varieties during germination was compared by measuring germination rate, germination index, vigor index and relatively descending rate of vigor index. The results showed that low concentration NaCl could promote germination rate and high concentration inhibited germinating characters. Both considered germination rate and the speed and uniformity level of germination, it was concluded the strongest salt tolerance varieties were Giant and Sanditi; WL323, Debao, Huangguan and L90 were medium salt tolerance, the weakest was Goethe.