Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a major forage crop of family Fabaceae and is frequently cultivated in Egypt. The present study is concerned with the genetic discrimination of fifteen alfalfa cultivars from three different countries (Egypt, Australia, and USA) using two molecular approaches: inter-retrotransposon-amplified polymorphism (IRAP) markers and two chloroplast DNA barcodes matK and the trnH in addition to the analysis of fifteen morpho-agronomic traits. The genetic relatedness, based on analysis of IRAP marker polymorphism and produced using eleven primers by clustering via principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate heatmap biostatistical methods differentiated the two Egyptian cultivars EGY1-Ismailia1 and EGY2-Nubaria1 from the three Australian and seven American cultivars, with some distinction of the cv. USA6-SW9720 and cv. AUS4-SuperFast. The results were also supported by the sequence analysis of the matK and the trnH genes on the genetic relatedness between eight cultivars. Moreover, it might be suggested that breeding lines from M. sativa cultivars may provide novel insights and a better understanding of the domestication of M. sativa genetic diversity. The classification of the eight cultivars, as revealed by morpho-agronomic traits, confirmed the close genetic relationship between the two Egyptian cultivars and indicated some resemblance between them and the AUS2-Siri Nafa, whereas the two American cultivars, USA1-Super supreme and USA4-Cuf101, were clearly isolated from a cluster of other three cultivars USA7-SW9628, USA8-Magna901, and USA9-Perfect. The results are useful sources of genetic information for future breeding programs in crop development and open new possibilities of producing M. sativa lines harboring high forage quality, productivity, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Salinity poses a danger to food security; hence, it is necessary to create crop types that can withstand salt to meet the growing demand for food. The goal of the current study was to examine the morphological and biochemical responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under salt stress. Salt tolerance in ten wheat cultivars and five selected F1 hybrids was assessed at the germination and seedling stage. Genotypes were assessed for seven traits under control (0 mM NaCl) and salinity stress (150, 200, and 250 mM NaCl). According to the findings, salt stress significantly impacted every wheat genotype. However, according to the STI value at 250 mM NaCl stress, Kharchia-65 was the most tolerant cultivar among the tested ones, followed by Pasban-90 and Krl-1-4. Also, Misr-3 is a promising Egyptian cultivar with moderate susceptibility. H5 (Pasban-90 × Kharachia-65) recorded the highest STI value among the tested hybrids. SDS-PAGE showed the appearance of some new bands under salinity conditions (200 and 250 mM NaCl). Protein bands with molecular weights 37.5, 40, and 48.6 kDa appeared in salt-treated cultivars at both concentrations. The current study’s findings may aid in developing salinity-tolerant wheat varieties. Ultimately, Kharachia-65 and H5 (Pasban-90 × Kharachia-65) recorded higher tolerance to salt stress. This data can be used in wheat breeding programs for salt-affected areas.