Species specificity of response to fluctuations of sea water salinity in seeds of coastal plants

An analysis of seed germination pattern has revealed species-specific responses to water salinity (0, 25, 50, and 100% sea water vs. distilled water) in plants growing on sea coasts of the Russian Far East and in areas remote from the sea. The results show that coastal species are less sensitive to the adverse effect of sea water in the above concentrations, but only the seeds of halophytes from the family Chenopodiaceae are capable of germinating in 100% sea water. The relationship between the habitats of plant species and individual specificity of seed germination is discussed.