The effect of salinity on the germination of dimorphic seeds of Atriplex micrantha, an annual inhabiting Junggar Desert

The fruits of Atriplex micrantha C. A. Mey. have dimorphism. It has two types of fruits that are different in shape, size, color of seeds and size of bracts attached fruits. The effects of different salts stresses on the seed germination of A. micrantha were studied. The results show the germination percentage and rate decreased as salinity increased and optimal germination was obtained in distilled water. Germination of brown seed was not affected by NaCl at concentrations below 0.2mol/L, and was decreased by NaCl at higher concentrations, and fell to 0 at 2.0mol/L. The black seed could not germinate at 0.4mol/L. The salinity tolerance of brown seed is better. Seeds which were incubated in NaCl solution for 20d recovered after being transferred to distilled water and the germination percentage of recovery from high salinity concentrations was higher than low concentrations. In high salinity (4mol/L NaCl), the percentage of recovery of black seed can achieve 84%, while brown seed only 46%.