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The Effect of Salt Water on Growing Squash Seeds

Squash plants are extremely fast-growing, hardy and productive vegetable crops. Offering a plethora of shapes, colors and sizes, squash can grow in almost any season, depending on the variety. Salt water can be detrimental to germination time, but does not necessarily prevent plants from germinating. Compared with other edible crops, squash is considered moderately tolerant to salinity.

  1. Salinity's Effects on Plants

    • All plants respond differently to salinity levels, depending on their age, species, the moisture content in the soil and other environmental conditions. During germination and seedling phase, plants are especially sensitive to salinity, even if they have a high salt tolerance. Salt alters the balance of minerals in seedlings and makes it difficult for plants to get the moisture they need. Some plants, such as spinach, are somewhat tolerant of salinity, but squash and most other plants are moderately stressed by high levels of salt.

    Effects of Salt Water on Germination

    • In an experiment published in "Seed Science and Biotechnology," scientists found that salinity reduced crop yield and impaired germination speed of summer squash. While the percentage of successful germination was not affected, salinity increased the length of time that seeds required to germinate. Increased salinity also reduced the weight, root size and shoot length of seedlings.

    Effects of Salt Water on Mineral Levels

    • Salinity levels can create an imbalance of minerals in squash seedlings, which prevents vital potassium uptake. In a study published in "Scientia Horticulturae," squash seedlings were found to have decreased potassium and calcium when salinity levels were increased. This decreased ratio of potassium to sodium was shown to have a negative effect on plant growth. The experiment revealed that salinity offsets levels of substances that are vital to healthy plant growth. Not surprisingly, sodium content was found to be increased in the foliage, further preventing moisture intake.

    Ideal Germinating Conditions

    • Squash germinates best in warm soil between 70 and 95 F, ideally in the upper part of that range. On the other hand, squash plants tend to be less tolerant to salinity if they are growing in hot, dry climates as compared to cooler conditions. Soil should be at a pH of around 6.0 and have low levels of salts, especially in hot weather. Squash needs lots of heavy, even moisture, which can be disrupted by the drying effects of salt. Provide plenty of fresh water for best results. Under these conditions, seeds will germinate in about six to 10 days.

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Growing Vegetables
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