Responses of Limnocharis flava and Mikania micrantha seeds to saline treatments.

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to investigate the potential for seeds of two tropical weeds to germinate or retain viability in saline environments. The germination and viability of Limnocharis flava and Mikania micrantha seeds
were recorded after exposure to river and seawater and various concentrations of sodium chloride solutions. Both weeds are targets of a tropical weed eradication program and the survey areas overlap with saline habitats. After exposure to the solutions seeds responses were categorised as healthy germination, unhealthy germination, germinated and died, non-viable and viable. The results can be used to inform weed habitat suitability in coastal areas as the healthy germination of seeds is limited by salt concentrations above 150 mM (NaCl) or 9.3 ppt.