Adaptations and Resistance to Salinity Stress in Forage Plants: Comparative Study of Medicago sativa Varieties in Steppe Ecosystems

MEKHLOUFI, MOULAI BRAHIM; REKIA, AKEL

doi:10.21608/agro.2025.337579.1566

Adaptations and Resistance to Salinity Stress in Forage Plants: Comparative Study of Medicago sativa Varieties in Steppe Ecosystems

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Agronomy, Institute of Natural and Life Sciences, Nour Bachir University Center, El- Bayadh, Algeria

10.21608/agro.2025.337579.1566

Abstract

In steppe ecosystems, forage plants are subjected to intense grazing pressure, necessitating adaptive strategies such as rapid germination and vigorous regrowth to offset biomass losses. Certain species, including alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), have evolved to germinate and thrive under harsh environmental conditions due to inherent reproductive and stress-resilience mechanisms, enabling them to colonize and persist in challenging habitats.
This study evaluated the germination capacity and salinity tolerance of multiple alfalfa varieties, with particular attention to two promising candidates: a genetically enhanced variety with 15% salinity-resistance traits, and the 'Gold' variety. Results revealed significant inter-varietal differences, with the 15% anti-salinity variety demonstrating superior performance, tolerating salinity levels up to 10% of soil volume conditions commonly observed in Sebkha environments.
Advanced screening methods identified varieties such as V15% and Speed as highly suitable for saline-prone areas due to their robust germination and stress adaptation. In contrast, less tolerant varieties like Diamant and Kalceem showed limited performance under saline stress, indicating the need for targeted agronomic interventions to ensure their viability. These findings underscore the importance of strategic varietal selection and adaptive management practices to optimize alfalfa productivity in saline-affected agroecosystems.

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