Salt tolerance through increased vigor in a flax line (STS-II) selected for salt tolerance in vitro.

Progeny of a flax (Linum usitatissimum L. cv "McGregor") plant, regenerated from a cell line selected in vitro for salt tolerance (designated STS-II) was tested for its performance over two generations in normal and in saline soil against its parent variety. Germination, seedling height, flowering, seed set and seed yield in controlled greenhouse conditions were recorded. The putative salt tolerant line was superior in saline soil for all parameters measured, indicating that the mechanism selected in cells in vitro was also active in whole plants, and that the trait is genetically stable and seed transmitted. Unexpectedly, the STS-II line was also superior in the normal, non-stressed soil, indicating that the selected trait is not limited to salt tolerance specifically, suggesting a more general mechanism, such as a general increase in vigor.