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Germination of Fourwing Saltbush Seeds at Different Levels of Moisture Stress 1
Author(s) -
Springfield H. W.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1966.00021962005800020007x
Subject(s) - germination , moisture stress , moisture , agronomy , seeding , mannitol , biology , horticulture , water content , arid , chemistry , ecology , biochemistry , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , engineering
Fourwing saltbush ( Atriplex canescens ) is a promising species for seeding Southwestern ranges. Studies were conducted to determine the effects of different levels of moisture stress and temperatures on seed germination. Six sources of seeds were germinated in mannitol solutions under 0.3, 3.0, 7.0, 11.0, and 15.0 atmospheres of osmotic pressure at 85, 63, and 49F. Total germination in 28 days decreased as moisture stress increased. Germination also was delayed as moisture stress increased, especially at 49F. The seeds germinated better at 63 and 49 than at 85F. Seeds germinated well even under the relatively high 7‐atmosphere level at 63F, which suggests that moisture stress may have less effect on seed germination when temperatures are near optimum. One source germinated better than four of the other five sources under the 11‐ and 15‐atmosphere levels indicating it might germinate more readily under arid range conditions.