Influence of light, temperature, salinity and storage on seed germination of Haloxylon ammodendron

Haloxylon aminodendron is a shrubby perennial distributed in many sandy and saline areas of deserts of Northwest China. It is an important economic plant used for sand fixation, pasture and fuel. Seed germination is the critical stage for species survival. The optimal temperature for germination is 10degreesC and germination was the lowest at 30degreesC in light and darkness. The higher the salinity of NaCl, the lower the percentage of germination, but after exposure to higher salinity, the seed recovery percentage is higher. The seed viability of about 10 months can be extended by cold or ultra dry storage at seed moisture content below 5%. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.