Abstract
Light acts as an important cue for the seeds of halophytes. However, generally little is known about the effects of light quality (color) and quantity (intensity) on seed germination of halophytes. This study hence examined seed germination responses of a halophytic sedge Cyperus conglomeratus Rottb. (Cyperaceae) to various photoperiod (12h light/12h dark and 24h dark), light quality (white, red, yellow, blue and green cellophane paper) and light intensity (100, 75, 50, 25 and < 25%) treatments under both non-saline (distilled water) and saline (50 and 100 mM NaCl) conditions. Seeds of C. conglomeratus were positively photoblastic and germinated maximally under 12h light/12h dark photoperiod as compared to 24h darkness under both non-saline and saline conditions. High salinity decreased seed germination significantly (p < 005). Seed germination was influenced by light quality, as relatively higher germination was observed under white, red, and yellow light as compared to blue and green light treatments. Variation in light quantity also affected seed germination of test species, which decreased with decline in light intensity. These results thus indicate that the seeds of C. cong
