The effects of storage of seed in estuarine water, distilled water 

 or over water on germination were more variable between locations. Seed 

 from Oregon Inlet 'showed no statistical difference in percent germination 

 of seed among these three treatments at the end of 30 days. Germination 

 of seed stored over water did lag for the first 10 days of the germination 

 period. Storage over water produced the best germination percentages for 

 seed from Ocracoke and Oak Island, while storage in estuarine water was 

 significantly better than any other treatment for seed from Beaufort and 

 Surf City. 



The explanation for the variable response to storage treatment of 

 seeds collected from different locations is probably due to the degree 

 of maturity of seed at the time of harvest. Spartina alt erni flora seed 

 apparently are never dormant but continue development during an after- 

 ripening period. The degree of seed development at the time of harvest, 

 as well as the environment in which the afterripening proceeds, probably 

 influences viability of the seed. Although there is variation in seed 

 maturity even within a particular stand, flowering and seed maturity 

 occur earlier along the northern coast of North Carolina with about a 

 3-week span from north to south. 



The seed collections from the different locations used in the experi- 

 ment were made within 3 days; therefore, seed from the northern coast, 

 e.g., Oregon Inlet, were more mature than those from the southern coast, 

 e.g., Oak Island. Consequently, the difference in the effect of storage 

 in estuarine water, distilled water or over water on germination was 

 least in the seed collected from Oregon Inlet. Storage over water was 

 advantageous for seed collected at Ocracoke and Oak Island. Apparently 

 these seed were less mature at harvest and storage in a saturated atmos- 

 phere, but not submerged, was more conducive to the afterripening process. 



This study of germination indicates that seed should be harvested as 

 near maturity as possible and that storage in estuarine water or possibly 

 freshwater at 2° to 3° Centigrade is an acceptable and relatively easy 

 way to maintain viability over winter. However, it is often necessary 

 to compromise on complete maturity, since many seed may be lost due to 

 natural shattering if harvesting is delayed too long. At Oregon Inlet 

 the best harvest period has been from about 20 September to 20 October. 

 The best harvest date is later farther south. 



The effects of date of harvest, length of afterripening period, and 

 storage in distilled or estuarine water were evaluated with seed collected 

 in 1971. Seed harvested on 28 September 1971 at Oregon Inlet had a 

 significantly higher germination percentage than those harvested 1 week 

 earlier (Fig. 19). However, seed harvested on 21 September were threshed 

 and stored in estuarine water within a few days of harvesting, while those 

 harvested on 28 September were stored in burlap sheets in a cooler for 

 3 weeks before threshing and storing in estuarine water. Subsequent 

 experience indicates that storing the seed at 2° to 3° Centigrade for 

 several weeks before submerging in water enhances the germination 

 percentage. 



50 



