Abstract
Seagrass (Zostera marina) is a kind of marine angiosperms. We analyzed physiological phenomena during seed development and germination in seagrass. First, we determined the stages of seed and fruit development according to the long axis length, fresh and dry weight, and the water content of developing seeds and fruits. The maximum values of the long axis length and dry weight were observed at 28 days after flowering. The water content of seeds was decreased in the later stage of development. Next, we analyzed seed germination using mature seeds. Germination of seagrass seeds was promoted under low temperature (from 15°C to 20°C) and low salinity (below 22.5‰) conditions. Seed germination was also promoted under the hypotonic conditions. Our results suggest that seed development may be similar to those in land plants and seed germination is promoted by low temperature and the hypotonic condition in seagrass.
