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Influence of Temperature and Leachate on Germination of Atriplex polycarpa¹

Desert saltbush, Atriplex polycarpa, a valuable native browse plant, occurs on dry rangeland in central and southern California. Germination was determined at temperatures from 5 to 35C at 5° intervals. Highest germination occurred at 20C on the 5th day hi germinators and at 15C after 14 and 30 days. Germination declined uniformly from the 15 or 20C level to lowest and highest temperatures.

For treatment A one set of seed and blotters was moistened with tap water for duration of 30 days. In treatment B the seed was soaked (leached) for 48 hours; then tap water was used to keep blotters and seed moist. In treatment C seeds were kept moist by using the leachate from the seed that had been soaked. Highest germination occurred after treatment B; lowest after treatment C; and treatment A was between C and B in effectiveness. The presence of some undetermined substances in the leachate severely inhibited germination in treatment C. Partial removal of the leachate from the seed enhanced germination in treatment B.

Key Words: Browse plant • Dry rangeland • Desert saltbush • Water-soluble inhibitors

² Range Scientists, Crops Research Division, ARS, USDA, Berkeley, Calif. 94701. Mr. Hylton now Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, USDA, Coarsegold, Calif.

Received for publication April 13, 1968.