Detection of molecular markers associated with salt tolerance in alfalfa (medicago sativa l.) [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the world's most valuable forage legumes. It is grown for hay, pasture and silage, and is valued highly as a livestock feed. It is characterized by adaptability to wide range of soils and growing conditions, flexibility in being able to grow alone or mixed with grasses and high yields. It is the most cultivated forage legume due to its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and its high protein content. Soil salinization significantly limits crop production and consequently has negative impact on food security. It is one of the major abiotic stresses that affects crop productivity and quality and has been described as one of the most serious threats to agriculture and the natural status of the environment. Increased salinization of arable land is expected to have devastating global effects, resulting in a 30% land loss within the next 25 years and up to 50% by the year 2050 (Lorenzo et al., 2007).

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