Germination responses of Corchorus olitorius L. to salinity and temperature

In order to investigate the effect of temperature and salinity on the germination of the wild leaf vegetable Corchorus olitorus L., seeds of two varieties of C. olitorus from ΄Bou Salem΄ and ΄Menzel Bouzelfa΄ responses were determined in complete darkness over a wide range of temperatures and salinities. The final germination percentage (FGP) and mean time to germination (MTG) were measured. Germination was inhibited by either an increase or decrease in temperature. For the two varieties, optimal germination was at 30°C. Highest germination percentages were obtained under no-saline conditions. The final germination percentage and germination rate (estimated by MTG) significantly decreased with increasing salt. This study has shown a high degree of variation of these characters mainly related to geographical origin. It was observed also that ΄Menzel Bouzelfa΄ variety was less affected by the imposed salt stress than ΄Bou Salem΄ variety.   Key words: Corchorus olitorus, germination responses, salinity, temperature.