Allenrolfea occidentalis (Wats.) Kuntze, a perennial halophytic shrub in the family Chenopodiaceae, is widely distributed in the temperate deserts of Western North America. Plants produce seeds under high salinity conditions and seeds readily germinated at low or no salinity and increase in salinity inhibited or delayed germination and no seed germinated at 800 mM NaCl. Experiments were conducted to determine the influence of compatible osmotica (Betaine and Proline) and growth regulators (Gibberellic acid and Kinetin) in alleviating salinity stress on the seed germination of A. occidentalis. All dormancy relieving compounds significantly (P < 0.0001) promoted germination at all salinity treatments. The compatible osmotica and growth regulators stimulated the seed germination under salt stress but also overcame the delaying effect of the salt on the seed germination. Low concentrations of betaine (0.1 mM) and proline (0.1 mM) completely alleviated the salinity-induced dormancy of the seeds at all salinity treatments. Plant growth regulators, GA3 (0.3 mM) and Kinetin (0.05 mM) at their low concentrations significantly (P < 0.0001) improved the germination under salinity treatment. The effect of Kinetin was more pronounced than GA3.

Key words: Allenrolfea occidentalis, compatible osmotica, germination, growth regulators, halophyte, salinity