Abstract
The embryo growth, endosperm degradation and in situ activity of peroxidase and esterase in seeds imbibed in distilled water or 200 mM NaCl were investigated in the halophyte Crithmum maritimum L. Germination was maximal (90%) in distilled water, but was fully inhibited following seed exposure to salt. The completion of the embryo growth (ca. 2 mm length) leading to the radicle emergence took 6 d in distilled, but was markedly delayed in 200 mM NaCl. The endosperm degradation was markedly delayed by NaCl. Esterase and peroxidase activities were less important in NaCl-imbibed than in H2O-imbibed seeds. The adverse effect of salinity on the embryo growth and the endosperm degradation could partly explain the inhibition of seed germination observed under these circumstances.