Evaluation of alfalfa genotypes from tolerance to salinity stress via multivative statistical methods

In order to study alfalfa genotypes from tolerance to salinity via multivative statistical methods, an experiment was conducted on 20 alfalfa genotypes in 5 salinity levels (0, 75, 150, 225 and 300 mM) with NaCl as factorial form under Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 replications in green house located in Andimeshk city. The experiment was performed in pots containing 1:2 sand-agriculture soils and irrigated by water for 45 day after planting. Then salinity treatments was done and after 14 days characteristics were measured. The results of analysis of variance showed that salinity stress, genotypes and their interaction were significant for all of traits (P<0.01). By increasing salinity, all traits were decreased except root/shoot length ratio. Genotype KFA1 had the highest number of leaf per plant, shoot length and plant length, KFA2 had the highest dry/wet weight ratio, KFA10 had the highest root length and root/shoot length ratio and Yazdi Garmsiri also had the highest wet and dry weight. The most significent and positive correlation were obtained between shoot length and plant length. The principal component analysis, studied 8 traits to be divided in 2 components. With attention to results of biplot and cluster analysis KFA1, KFA11, KFA14 and KFA15 with origin Gareh Younjeh; KFA4, KFA6 and KFA16 with origin Hamedani and genotype Bami Garmsiri were considered as the most tolerant group, KFA3 with origin Gareh Yonjeh; KFA5 and KFA17, with origin Hamedani; KFA7 with origin Rahnani; genotypes Nikshahri Garmsiri and Yazdi Garmsiri were considered as the most sensitive group and the other genotypes as semi-tolerant to salinity stress.