Salinity has an adverse effect on seed germination of several vegetables crops, by creating an osmotic potential outside the seed inhibiting the absorption of water, or by the toxic effect of Na + and Cl - (Khajeh-Hosseini et al. 2003). Osmotic and saline Abstract Background: Salinity affect germination and seedling growth of several crop species, many techniques are used to improve tolerance and development of plants. Priming is an effective technique that improves germination of several vegetables crop under saline condition. That's why, this experiment was carried to study the effect of seed priming with 5 g/L NaCl and KCl on germination and seedlings growth of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) exposed to five levels of salinity (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g/L). Materials and Methods: Safflower seeds were soaked in solutions of NaCl (5 g/L for 12 h) and KCl (5 g/L for 24 h) at 20°C. Primed and non primed seeds were put to germinate in petri dishes and irrigated with saline solutions of five concentrations of NaCl (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g/L). Results: NaCl and KCl priming have improved germination parameters (germination percentage, mean germination time, germination index and coefficient of velocity) and growth parameters (radicle and seedling length, seedling fresh and dry weight and Vigour Index) of safflower under saline condition. Conclusions: The present study revealed that, under salt stress, NaCl and KCl priming could be used as a method to improve safflower seed germination. However, further studies are needed to highlight effects of NaCl and KCl seed priming on future growth and development of the culture.

Salinity is considered as a major abiotic stress affecting crop production in arid and semi-arid regions in the world. Poor germination and decrease of seedling growth are major results of poor crop establishment and failure. Many research studies have shown that seed priming is an efficient method for increasing plant growth and yield in saline condition. For this reason, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of NaCl priming on the emergence and seedling growth of Tunisian fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) under salinity conditions. Seeds of fenugreek were primed with NaCl (4 g L-1) for 36 h in continuous 25°C. Primed (P) and non-primed (NP) seeds were sown in plastic pots and placed in greenhouse for 4 months. Experiments were conducted using various NaCl concentrations (0, 4, 6, 8 and 10 g L-1). Results showed that emergence percentage of primed seeds was greater than nonprimed seeds. Roots length, plant height, leaf area, fresh and dry weight and yields of plants derived from primed seeds were higher compared with non-primed seeds. Na+ content of plants derived from primed seeds was lower than that of primed ones. In the other side, K+ and Ca2+ content of plants derived from primed seeds was higher compared with plants derived from nonprimed seeds. These results suggest that NaCl priming of fenugreek seeds increased salt tolerance of seedlings by reducing Na+ and promoting K+ and Ca2+ accumulation.

Le compostage représente une stratégie efficace pour recycler la biomasse sylvicole afin de confectionner des substrats de croissance adéquats pour la production des plants forestiers. Suite au processus de compostage de sept mois, les déchets sylvicoles ont atteint un degré de maturité en termes d'absence de phytotoxicité (déterminé selon le biotest de germination). Le compost ainsi obtenu est utilisé afin d'élaborer six substrats de croissance selon différentes granulométries. Les résultats obtenus montrent que le type de criblage du compost (simple criblage, double criblage sur refus ou double criblage sur tamisat) agit significativement sur les caractéristiques relevées sur le plan physique (porosités totale, d'aération et de rétention) et sur le plan chimique (pH, conductivité électrique, teneurs en matière organique, azote, phosphore et potassium) du substrat, et par conséquent, sur les comportements germinatif (pourcentage cumulé de germination) et végétatif (hauteur, diamètre et ratio de robustesse) des plants d'Acacia cyanophylla produits en conteneurs sur les divers substrats étudiés. Le substrat préférable de culture est le tamisat issu du double criblage aux mailles carrées 12 x 12 mm et 8 x 8 mm dans le contexte expérimental choisi.

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