Welcome to Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin,

Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin ›› 2022, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (19): 139-145.doi: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2021-0766

Special Issue: 生物技术 园艺

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Effects of Mixed Saline-alkali Stress on Growth and Physiology of Alfalfa

WANG Xiaochun(), YANG Tianhui, WANG Chuan, YANG Weidi, GAO Ting()   

  1. Institute of Animal Science, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Yinchuan 750002
  • Received:2021-08-10 Revised:2022-03-11 Online:2022-07-05 Published:2022-07-13
  • Contact: GAO Ting E-mail:158851531@qq.com;ecogt9@163.com

Abstract:

In this study, mixed saline-alkali solution was used to simulate the saline-alkali stress, and pot experiments were carried out on alfalfa (Medicago sativa). The experiment set mixed saline-alkali solution gradients of 0.0% (control), 0.3%, 0.6%, 0.9% and 1.2% to stress the seedling stage alfalfa, and to study the effects of mixed saline-alkali stress on plant height, root growth, leaf proline and other growth and physiological indicators. The results showed that with the increase of saline-alkali concentration, the plant height of alfalfa, and the biomass of the aboveground and underground parts all increased first and then decreased, the highest value appeared under the stress of 0.3% concentration, followed by that under the concentration of 0.6%, 0.9% and 0.0%, and the lowest value was observed under 1.2% concentration. There were significant differences among the treatments. The root thickness and root length were the lowest under 1.2% concentration stress, which was significantly lower than those of other treatments. Physiological indicators varied greatly among varieties. The content of proline, soluble sugar and MDA in leaves of most alfalfa varieties were the highest under the 1.2% concentration, which were significantly different from those under other treatments. The chlorophyll content of some varieties was the highest under 0.3% concentration and the lowest under 1.2% concentration, and others had irregular changes. The activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, POD and CAT under 1.2% concentration were significantly higher than those of control. It is concluded that alfalfa at seedling stage has stronger tolerance to saline-alkali stress than that at germination stage. When the saline-alkali concentration is 1.2%, the growth and physiological indicators of alfalfa change greatly compared with those of CK, so this concentration can be used as the appropriate one to identify the saline-alkali stress tolerance for alfalfa at the seedling stage.

Key words: alfalfa, seedling stage, mixed salt and alkali, stress, physiological index

CLC Number: