Salt Water Tolerance of Seeds of Gossypium Species as a Possible Factor in Seed Dispersal

Abstract

Several wild species, and wild forms of the cultivated species of Gossypium occupy coastal or insular habitats. The seeds and/or capsules of these forms have a limited buoyancy in sea water, which is, however, sufficient to provide opportunity for dispersal along shore-lines, to off-shore islands, and from island to island in certain cases. Seeds of coastal and insular forms usually have hard seed coats and can remain viable after long periods of immersion in sea water. The seeds of Gossypium barbadense var. darwinii have both sufficient buoyancy and salt water tolerance to have enabled them to reach the Galapagos Islands from the mainland of South America. The possible roles of man and ocean currents in the dispersal of these cottons is discussed.