GEOBIOS

Seed germination is one of the most important phase affecting yield and quality of plant. In the present investigation, seed viability, germination percentage, germination velocity index and seedling survival of three Atriplex spp. i.e A.amnicola, A. lentiformis and A. stocksii were compared. A gradual decline in seed viability has been observed in all the three test species and by the end of one year almost 15–20% of viability was lost in all the three species. A.lentiformis came out with highest viability percentage (66.63%) while A. amnicola had the lowest viability (51.1%). Maximumgermination percentage value was recorded in A. lentiformis (57.7%) followed by A. stocksii (53.3%) and A. amnicola (45.5%) respectively. Highest mean value for germination velocity index was recorded in A. lentiformis i.e. 1.43 followed by A. stocksii with a value of 1.09. Least mean value i.e. 0.74 was recorded in A. amnicola. Seedling survival values obtained indicated that A. lentiformis had the highest survival value i.e. 80% while A. amnicola had the lowest survival value i.e. 40%. However, for A. stocksii 70% survival value was recorded. The overall results in the study showed that among the three species studied, A. lentiformis came out to be the best adaptable species at the initial stage of plant life.