SODIUM RELATIONS IN SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS OF Sarcobatus vermiculatus

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Abstract
Sodium content of utricles, utricle bracts, testa, and embryo was determined for Sarcobatus vermiculatus. Immediately after germination, seedlings were grown in H2O, 330 mM NaCl, or 225 mM Na2SO4 solutions, and Na+ content was determined. Sodium content of utricles averaged 38 900 .mu.g .cntdot. g-1, with highest concentrations in bracts (53 100 .mu.g .cntdot. g-1), and lowest concentrations (1843 .mu.g .cntdot. g-1) in embryos. Sodium concentration of washed embryos averaged 954 .mu.g .cntdot. g-1. Seedlings germinated from debracted utricles and grown 24 h in distilled H2O contained 2965 .mu.g .cntdot. g-1 Na+. The Na+ content of seedlings germinated and grown 24 h in NaCl or Na2SO4 solutions averaged approximately 24 000 .mu.g .cntdot. g-1. Rapid uptake of Na+ by the germinating embryos and seedlings is postulated to be an adaptive mechanism for developing and maintaining a favorable water balance in soils with low osmotic potentials.