Germination responses of Corchorus olitorius L. to salinity and temperature

Corchorus belongs to the family Malvaceae and genus Corchorus consists of some 50 to 60 species of which about 30 are found in Africa. Corchorus is mainly known for its fibre product jute and for its leaf vegetables. 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.