3.2.2. Effect on germination speed
The effects of storage condition and temperature of incubation
and their interaction on germination speed was significant
(P < 0.05) in H. salicornicum, but not for S. imbricata seeds
(P > 0.05). In H. salicornicum, storage in freezer, but not in room
and warm conditions, significantly increased germination rate
index, compared to fresh seeds. There were no significant differences
between the germination speeds at the different temperature
for fresh seeds, but germination speed was significantly
reduced at 35 C, compared to other temperatures, for stored seeds
(see Fig. 4).
Cold storage significantly increased germination speed at 15, 20
and 25 C, but not at 35 C. In addition, warm storage and storage
at room temperatures did not affect germination speed at 15, 20
and 25 C, but significantly reduced it at 35 C. The ecological
advantage of this is to ensure that seeds of H. salicornicum stored
on soil surface or under the shade of vegetation will not germinate
easily under high temperatures of summer, even if rainfall is
enough for seedling emergence.