Potential use of measurements of callus and male gametophyte NaCl tolerance in lucerne breeding

Relationships between whole-plant and germination NaCl tolerance and two in vitro measures of NaCl tolerance were evaluated in lucerne (Medicago sativa L.). No significant correlations were observed between relative NaCl tolerance of non-regenerating callus cultures, herbage regrowth, seed or pollen germination, and pollen tube growth. Simulated selection using indirect measures of NaCl tolerance produced small expected gains in relative NaCl tolerance during herbage regrowth and seed germination. These gains were less than 30% of those expected with direct selection for regrowth or germination tolerance. Selection based on the apparent NaCl tolerance of callus tissue or male gamephytes would appear unproductive. Direct selection for NaCl tolerance both at germination and during mature plant regrowth would appear to be necessary to rapidly develop lucerne populations with field-relevant levels of tolerance to NaCl stress.