Divergent germination responses to fire-related cues of Suaeda glauca dimorphic seeds under salinity stress

Abstract

Suaeda glauca is an annual herb in the family Amaranthaceae that produces dimorphic seeds (soft brown seeds and hard black seeds) on the same plant under natural conditions. Experiments were conducted to determine the salinity-alleviating effect of fire-related cues. Germination of both black and brown seeds was inhibited with an increase in salinity. Brown seeds had a higher germination percentage than black seeds in all conditions. Heat shock, smoke and their interaction had some effect in alleviating the salinity effect in brown seeds at 100-300 mM NaCl. This study provides valuable information to the understanding of the germination biology of Suaeda glauca.