Effects of salinity, temperature and light on germination of invasive Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) D.C.

Abstract

Effects of salinity, temperature, light and their interactions on the rate and final percentage of germination were evaluated for the invasive shrub Prosopis juliflora, grown under arid environmental conditions of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Seeds that were not treated with NaCl germinated well in a wide range of temperatures and in both full light and complete dark. Seed germination decreased significantly with the increase in both NaCl concentration and temperature. Optimal germination percentage occurred at 25 °C. The inhibitory effect of high salinity on final germination percentage was greater at 40 °C than at 15 and 25 °C. Germination was completely inhibited in 400 mM NaCl at 40 °C and in 600 mM NaCl at 25 °C. However, germination rate was significantly greater at 40 °C than at 15 and 25 °C in lower salinities and the reverse was true at higher salinities. Germination in light was significantly greater than in the dark at lower salinity levels and high temperature.