TY  - JOUR
AU  - Biber, Patrick D. 
AU  - Caldwell, John D. 
PY  - 2008
TI  - Seed Germination and Seedling Survival of Spartina alterniflora Loisel
JF  - American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences
VL  - 3
IS  - 3
DO  - 10.3844/ajabssp.2008.633.638
UR  - https://thescipub.com/abstract/ajabssp.2008.633.638
AB  - Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) is a widespread intertidal salt marsh plant that is frequently used in coastal restoration projects. Seeds collected in 2004 were tested for seed germination and seedling survival after 6 months of cold seed storage to determine differences among collection locations (experiment 1). Seeds collected in 2005, after Hurricane Katrina, were tested for seed germination and seedling survival from 0 to 15 months of cold seed storage time to determine minimum and maximum storage time and seedling survival rates (experiment 2). Seed germination increased from 1-4 months of cold, wet storage (stratification) and then began to decline. Survival of the seedlings was highest after 2 months of stratification. In experiment 1, seedling size was found to vary widely among seedlings of the same source and age. Seedling height at 22 days after planting ranged from 2-16 cm, despite identical environmental conditions. Selective breeding could target plants with fast early growth characteristics to promote strains that can be raised quickly in a nursery in response to demands for restoration.