PJB-2015-103
GERMINATION RESPONSES OF LIMONIUM INSIGNE (COSS.) KUNTZE TO SALINITY AND TEMPERATURE
ISABEL C. DELGADO FERNÁNDEZ, ESTHER GIMÉNEZ LUQUE, FRANCISCO GÓMEZ MERCADO AND JOSÉ MANUEL MARRERO
Abstract
Limonium insigne (Plumbaginaceae) is a perennial halophyte endemic to the SE of the Iberian Peninsula. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of different salinities (0, 100, 200 and 400 mM NaCl) on the seed germination of L. insigne under different temperature regimes (20/10, 25/15, 30/20 and 35/25 °C), both in a 14 h light and 10 h dark photoperiod. Seed germination of L. insigne was affected significantly by salinity levels, temperature and their interaction. Maximum germination was observed in the least saline media (100 mM NaCl) and distilled water (0 mM NaCl) at 20/10 °C temperature. No seeds germinated at concentrations higher than 200 mM NaCl at the highest temperature (35/25 °C). The increase in salinity delayed the beginning and ending of germination, reduced final germination percentage and increased mean time to germination. The rate of germination decreased with an increase in salinity and temperature.
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