Germination responses of Salicornia rubra to temperature and salinity

Salicornia rubra Nels. is one of the most salt tolerant species in the western half of the United States and Canada. Salicornia rubra seeds were collected from Goshen, Utah. Seeds were germinated at five temperature regimes and six salinities to determine optimal conditions for germination and recovery from saline conditions. A temperature regime of 25°C night and 35°C day yielded maximum germination. The lower temperature regime 5–15°C significantly inhibited seed germination. Rate of germination decreased with increase in salinity. Final recovery germination percentages in high salt treatments were significantly higher indicating that exposure to high concentration of NaCl did not permanently inhibit germination.