Selecting salt-tolerant clones and evaluating genetic variability to obtain parents of new diploid and tetraploid germplasm in rhodesgrass (Chloris gayana K.)

► Salt-tolerant rhodesgrass clones were obtained by survival percentage. ► Genetic variability in selected clones was assessed using the AFLP technique. ► AFLP discriminated tetraploid and diploid clones. ► Genetic variability in each ploidy level was observed. ► We selected clones as parents for new synthetic varieties.