New Alfalfa thrives in saline environments
Salinity is a persistent challenge for farmers, affecting irrigation and plant health. Researchers at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are addressing this issue by developing salt-tolerant crops, starting with alfalfa, a key forage crop for dairy farming and soil improvement.
Devinder Sandhu, a geneticist in California, has been breeding alfalfa to withstand high salinity levels. This innovation aims to enable farming on degraded lands and use recycled water, reducing dependence on premium agricultural resources. These advancements are crucial as droughts and groundwater depletion force reliance on saline water sources like treated sewage and runoff.
Sandhu’s team began with 2,700 alfalfa lines, narrowing the selection to 12 for further trials. Two varieties stood out, tolerating salinity equivalent to one-third seawater. Combining their traits, the researchers created a new alfalfa line that performed well even with real seawater tests.
“Right now, we are focused on producing sufficient seed for broader testing and potential distribution,” Sandhu shared. The team aims to make these varieties accessible within two years, offering farmers a solution to grow crops sustainably in challenging conditions.
Beyond alfalfa, Sandhu’s research on salt tolerance has broader implications. Crops like wheat, maize, tomatoes, and strawberries could benefit from similar mechanisms. “The basic mechanisms of salt tolerance are often conserved across plant species,” Sandhu said, emphasizing cross-species potential.
This breakthrough could transform agriculture by expanding the use of degraded water sources, increasing arable land, and ensuring sustainable farming in saline conditions. The future of farming looks brighter with these innovative solutions.