Allenrolfea occidentalis (S. Wats.) Kuntze, a halophytic perennial shrub in the family Chenopodiaceae, is widely distributed in inland salt marshes and salt playas of western North America. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of NaCl, light, and temperature on seed germination and their recovery of germination from saline conditions after being transferred to distilled water. Seeds of A. occidentalis were germinated at various temperatures (5:15, 10:20, 10:30, 15:25, 20:30, and 25:35°C (night:day)) and salinities (0, 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 mM NaCl) in a 12 h light : 12 h dark photoperiod and in 24 h darkness. Increases in NaCl concentration progressively inhibited seed germination, and this inhibition was greater in the dark than in light. No seeds germinated at concentrations higher than 800 mM NaCl. Cooler temperatures significantly inhibited germination in all treatments, while regimes of high night (25°C) and high day (35°C) temperatures showed higher germination. Rate of germination decreased with an increase in salinity. Germination rate was higher at 25:35°C and lower at 5:15°C. Seeds were transferred from salt solutions to distilled water after 20 days, and those from high salinities recovered quickly at all temperature regimes. Recovery germination percentages at higher salinities varied from 51 to 100% at various temperatures, but recovery of germination of seeds from salt stress was significantly affected by temperature regime.Key words: Allenrolfea occidentalis, halophyte, light, recovery of seed germination, salt playas, thermoperiod, Utah.

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Salsola iberica Sennen & Pau, a halophytic forb in the family Chenopodiaceae, is widely distributed in inland salt deserts of Utah and widespread in North America. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of NaCl and temperature on seed germination and their recovery of germination from saline conditions after being transferred to distilled water. Seeds of S. iberica were germinated at various temperatures and at various salinities in a 12 h light : 12 h dark photoperiod to determine their germinability under these conditions. Increases in NaCl concentration progressively inhibited seed germination. Few seeds germinated at 1000 mM NaCl. Cooler temperatures significantly inhibited germination, while high night (25°C) and high day (35°C) temperature regimes showed higher germination. Rate of germination decreased with an increase in salinity. Germination rate was higher at 25–35°C and lower at 5–15°C temperatures. Seeds were transferred from salt solutions to distilled water after 20 days, and those from low salinities recovered quickly at cooler temperature regimes. Recovery germination percentages substantially decreased with an increase in salinity and temperature.Key words: halophyte, recovery of seed germination, Salsola iberica, salt desert, thermoperiod, Utah.

Ceratoides lanata (Pursh) J.T. Howell is a shrub with numerous annual branchlets from the family Chenopodiaceae and is widely distributed in brackish water playas of northern Utah. Seeds had no dormancy, and about 90% of the seeds germinated in nonsaline control. Seed germination decreased with the increase in salinity, and more than 10% of the seeds germinated at 900 mmol/L NaCl. Almost all seeds germinated in less than 24 h, and no additional seed germinated after this time. Gibberellic acid had no effect in alleviating salinity effects; however, kinetin and fusicoccin substantially alleviated the effect of salinity on germination, while ethephon almost completely reverted the effect of salinity.Key words: Ceratoides lanata, gibberellic acid, ethephon, fusicoccin, halophytes, kinetin.

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