Influence of temperature and salinity on the germination of Lotus creticus (L.) from the arid land of Tunisia: Effects of salinity, temperature on Lotus creticus (L.)

Effects of salinity, temperature and their interactions on the rate and final percentage of germination were evaluated for two populations (Msarref, Oued dkouk) of the invasive glycophyte Lotus creticus Linne, grown under arid environmental conditions of the Tunisia. Seeds that were not treated with NaCl germinated well in a wide range of temperatures. For both populations, maximum germination occurred in distilled water at 25 degrees C and lowest germination for all salinities was at 35 degrees C. Germination was substantially delayed and significantly reduced with an increase in NaCl to levels above 300 mm. Compared to the Oued dkouk population, final germination and germination rate of the Msarref population was completely inhibited at 300 mm NaCl. The interactive effect of temperature and NaCl concentration on final germination and germination rate was significant (P < 0.01), indicating that the germination response to salinity depended on temperature. The inhibition of Oued dkouk population seed germination at high salt concentration was mostly due to osmotic effects while ionic effects were noted at Msarref population. The germination behaviour of the Oued dkouk population would therefore imply adaptive mechanisms to saline environments, while in the Msarref population such mechanisms seem to be absent. Since seed germination is more sensitive to salinity stress than the growth of established plants, the greater tolerance to salinity of Oued dkouk population would be an adaptive feature of this population to saline environment.