The concentrations of Ca++, Mg++, K+, and Na+ in seeds and bracts of winterfat [Eurotia lanata (Pursh) Moq.] diaspores were studied using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentration of Ca++ in the bracts was about 9 times that of seed concentrations. Bract and seed concentrations for the other cations were more equal. All cation concentrations were highly variable. Analyses of seed for cation concentrations before and after diaspore imbibition, and after seed imbibition in prepared cation solutions, revealed significant imbibitional increases in seed-cation concentrations. Increases in seed Ca++ or Na+ improved moisture absorption and germination by the seed, and hypocotyl elongation in the seedling. It is concluded that diaspore bracts are a source of nutrients for the winterfat seed and that these inorganic nutrients are a positive factor in plant establishment. This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020
Scholarly peer-reviewed articles published by the Society for Range Management. Access articles on a rolling-window basis from vol. 1, 1948 up to 5 years from the current year. Formerly Journal of Range Management (JRM). More recent content is available by subscription from SRM.