Effect of Salinity on Seed Germination, Growth, and Ion Accumulation of <i>Atriplex patula</i> (Chenopodiaceae)

Abstract

Seeds and seedlings of the halophyte Atriplex patula were exposed to 0–2% NaCl to determine the effect of salt stress on germination and growth. Seeds germinated and plants survived and grew in solutions of up to 2.0% NaCl. Both seed germination and dry mass production were negatively affected by increased salinity. Dry mass production declined to 1% of controls and seed germination to 17% of controls in the 2% NaCl treatments, indicating that seeds were less inhibited than growing plants. Also, recovery treatments indicated that high salinity did not permanently injure seeds. Percent ash, and Na + and Cl − ions increased in shoots with each salt increment, while the K + ion content decreased sharply. Atriplex patula is a facultative halophyte, and is limited to low and moderately saline sites because both seed germination and growth are severely reduced at salinities &gt; 1% NaCl.