Journal Article

A comparative study on plant growth and ion accumulation between alfalfa and hybrid wheatgrass under salt stress

Yamauchi, Marika, Rahman, Abidur, Tanino, Karen K., Biligetu, Bill, Bhattarai, Surendra

2026

Overview

Perennial grasses and legumes are important for the reclamation of salt‐affected land. A comparison study on salt tolerance of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) and hybrid wheatgrass ( Elymus hoffmannii ) could contribute to understanding the relative salt tolerance of these species, in addition to providing germplasm information for salt tolerant forage breeding. In this study, three alfalfa cultivars (Halo, Rugged, and Beaver) and four hybrid wheatgrass populations (CDC Salt King, AC Saltlander, S9600, and S9604) were evaluated at 0, 8, and 16 dS m −1 in a sand‐based hydroponics system in greenhouse. Plant height, relative chlorophyll content, plant injury score, biomass, and ion accumulation in different tissues were measured. Salt stress reduced plant height in both species. Stem number in alfalfa, but not in hybrid wheatgrass, was affected by salt stress, suggesting a loss of persistence of alfalfa cultivars under salt stress. Salt stress reduced root, stem, and leaf dry weights in both species with considerable variation between the two forage species. Hybrid wheatgrass showed a negative association ( r  = −0.56) between tiller number and root Na + concentration under moderate salt stress. Alfalfa cultivar Halo showed higher Na + accumulation in both leaf and root with lower reduction in leaf dry weight under salt stress. In contrast, hybrid wheatgrass displayed lower Na + accumulation in leaves despite higher Na + accumulation in the roots, indicating that the salt tolerance of this grass is due to an altered root–shoot Na + transport. The variable responses of salt stress in alfalfa and hybrid wheatgrass indicate different mechanisms for salt tolerance. Perennial grasses and legumes are important for the reclamation of salt‐affected land. A comparison study on salt tolerance of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) and hybrid wheatgrass ( Elymus hoffmannii ) could contribute to understanding the relative salt tolerance of these species, in addition to providing germplasm information for salt tolerant forage breeding. In this study, three alfalfa cultivars (Halo, Rugged and Beaver) and four hybrid wheatgrass populations (CDC Salt King, AC Saltlander, S9600, and S9604) were evaluated at 0, 8, and 16 dS m −1 in a sand‐based hydroponics system in greenhouse. Plant height, relative chlorophyll content, plant injury score, biomass, and ion accumulation in different tissues were measured. Salt stress reduced plant height in both species. Stem number in alfalfa, but not in hybrid wheatgrass, was affected by salt stress, suggesting a loss of persistence of alfalfa cultivars under salt stress. Salt stress reduced root, stem, and leaf dry weights in both species.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subject: Agriculture / Alfalfa / Bioaccumulation / Comparative studies / Cultivars / Dry weight / Flowers & plants / Forage / Germplasm / Grasses / Hydroponics / Ion accumulation / Land reclamation / Leaves / Legumes / Plant breeding / Plant growth / Salinity tolerance / Salt tolerance / Seeds / Stress / Yeast