Feasibility study of Caspian Sea water for the cultivation of alfalfa (Medicago spp.) In Mazandaran plain areas

Using seawater to produce crops is one way to combat this dehydration. For use of seawater, saline species should be selected according to the existing conditions. Species that is able to grow in saline conditions and desirable performance. The purpose of this study was to compare the yield of saline species with seawater so that plants with high forage yield and compatible with the environment can be selected and proposed for cultivation in coastal lands of Mazandaran.

In order to survey of halophyte forage plants characteristics, a factorial experiment was conducted at Research Station of Sari Natural Resources Faculty in a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2016. The test factors included four Medicag polymorpha, Medicag scutellata, Medicago litoralis, Medicago truncatula and five sea saline water levels (0.6, 3.8, 6.4, 9.6, and 14.2) ds/m.

The result of Analysis of variance showed that germination percentage in electrical conductivity, 3.8, 6.4 and 9.6 ds/m, there was not seen a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) between two species (M. polymorpha and M. scutellata) and species (M. truncatula and M. litoralis). During the establishment phase (60 days), there was a significant difference between each species (p ≤ 0.05). In electrical conductivity of 3.8 and 6.4, M. polymorpha species showed a significant difference with other species, but there was no significant difference between the other three species.

The results of this study indicate that M. polymorha, M.scutellata species show more tolerance in salinity conditions (p≤0.05).