<i>Melia dubia</i> Progenies from Satpura and Sahyadri Ranges of South Gujarat have Potential for Salinity Tolerance

Rising salinity in agricultural lands threatens sustainable crop production. This study investigates salinity tolerance mechanisms in eight Melia dubia progenies from South Gujarat, India. A multi-index physiological approach + (total plant salinity tolerance, Na exclusion index, osmotic tolerance index, tissue tolerance index)was employed to assess tolerance beyond shoot fresh weight. Significant variation was observed among progenies (p < 0.05). P5, P6, P7, and P8 consistently displayed superior performance across all parameters, indicating their potential for saline environments (Between 3 dS/m to 9 dS/m). Notably, each high-performing progeny exhibited distinct tolerance strengths, suggesting diverse coping mechanisms. Future research should explore the genetic basis of these mechanisms and conduct field trials for real-world validation. This combined approach will be crucial for developing and deploying salt-tolerant M. dubia for ecological restoration.