Seed germination protocols in the genus Salsola (Amaranthaceae) in Italy

Abstract

Here, successful germination protocols for the following three annual Salsola species are presented: Salsola soda (= Soda inermis), S. squarrosa subsp. contro- versa, and S. tragus subsp. tragus. It is the first report of germination data for the three species for Italy. Seeds were collected in beaches and dunes along the Tyrrhenian coasts in Sicily and south Tuscany and north Latium (central Italy). The germination ability was tested at the Catania Germplasm Bank (BGS-CT) and the Tuscia Germplasm Bank (BGT) at constant and alternating temperatures (from 5 to 40°C), under both light (with a 12/12h photoperiod) and total dark. Our results show a high germination ability and germination rate for all the tested species.