Germination Behaviour of a Perennial Amaranthaceae of North Western Algeria (Oran): <i>Arthrocnemum glaucum</i> (Del.) Ung. Respectively Submitted to Thermal Factor and Salt Stress

Abstract

In light of the importance of seeds germinative phase in the progress of later stages of development of any particular plant species in semi-arid and arid area, it is essential to study the germinative behavior and to evaluate the tolerance of a perennial halophyte of Amaranthacaea family, Arthrocnemum glaucum (Del.) Ung. during this crucial phase. A study is devoted to this species seeds germination, which although it’s a mandatory halophyte, it’s less tolerant to salt stress in germination’ phase. Germinative tests are carried out in laboratory, on seeds putted in Petri dishes placed at different temperatures. They enable us to determine the optimal germination temperature, which is 40 &#176 C while the cold one (5 &#176 C) completely inhibits it. The seeds of Arthrocnemum glaucum show an optimum germination of 44% in distilled water (NaCl 0 mm) similar to glycophytes but they differ in their ability to germinate at higher salinities. Beyond 300 mM germination is completely inhibited. Prior to break dormancy seeds, a cold treatment at 5 &#176 C has been achieved; the germination capacity of the seeds increases with the duration of the cold treatment. It increases from 30% after 2 weeks of treatment to 80% after a treatment of 27 weeks.