Dormancy, germination, emergence and ecology of Gardner saltbush (Atriplex gardneri (Moq. ) D. Dietr. ) seeds
Gardner saltbush (Atriplex gardneri (Moq.) D. Dietr.) provides valuable winter browse and is an important soil stabilizer in arid, alkaline, and saline areas of the intermountain region. However, seed dormancy and poor seedling vigor inhibit its potential for revegetation by direct seeding on disturbed lands. The objectives of this study were to 1) develop seed treatments which would overcome dormancy in Gardner saltbush seeds, 2) evaluate field establishment by direct seeding of Gardner saltbush, and 3) characterize seed dormancy, seedling vigor and some aspects of the ecology of germination in Gardner saltbush. In the laboratory, single and combined pretreatments removed dormancy to varying degrees. Dormancy was completely alleviated with 15 months dry after-ripening + scarification + 24 hours washing + 4 weeks stratification. Dry after-ripening and scarification appeared to facilitate effects of washing and stratification. Physiologically, indirect evidence was obtained suggesting both embryo and seedcoat mediated dormancy occur in Gardner saltbush. Ecologically, the various levels of germination response to simulated environmental pretreatments appeared to be an adaptation of Gardner saltbush seeds to ensure a temporal dispersal of release from dormancy. This increases the probability that under natural conditions some seedlings will emerge during times when the environment is amenable to seedling survival.
- OSTI ID:
- 6269265
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
SEEDLINGS
PLANT GROWTH
SEEDS
GERMINATION
SHRUBS
WYOMING
FEDERAL REGION VIII
GROWTH
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
USA
551000* - Physiological Systems
510500 - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)
553000 - Agriculture & Food Technology