GERMINATION IN THE MARINE PHANEROGAM ZOSTERA-NOLTII HORNEMANN AT GOLFE-JUAN, FRENCH MEDITERRANEAN

Seed germination and germling development were investigated in Zostera noltii Hornemann taken from sublittoral meadow on an open coast. Experimental treatments were imposed involving differing temperature, salinity, stratification and incision of the seed tegument. The speed and rate of success of germination were increased both by low salinity (1-‰10) and by insicion of the seed tegument. After germination, germlings developed best in the 10% salinity treatment. They reached the three-leaf stage in 20 days and showed two developmental stages: first, elongation of the cotyledon and the hypocotyl, followed by plumule development. The results show that there is no primary dormancy in Z. noltii and that unfavourable environmental conditions and tegument impermeability are the factors which prevent rapid germination. © 1990.