Flax-leaf alyssum (Alyssum linifolium Steph. ex. Willd.) is a winter growing annual weed species which distributed widely in many semi-arid cropping regions of Iran and especially in Khorasan Razavi and East-Azerbaijan provinces. Germination of two populations (Khorasan Razavi and East Azerbaijan) of this weed were evaluated under different environmental conditions. Seeds of A. linifolium germinated over a wide range of day/night temperature regimes and highest germination (%) was observed at 20/10 °C. Light is not required for germination in both populations and seed could germinate more than 70% in all photoperiod treatments. Germination was affected by pH levels, seeds could germinate in a pH range of 4-9 and maximum germination occurred at pH 7. Seeds had an ability to germinate ≥ 50% respectively at a water potential of -0.69 and -0.78 MPa and salinity of 12.64 and 11.7 dSm-1 in Khorasan Razavi and East Azerbaijan population. Maximum seedling emergence was observed when seeds were slightly covered with soil but emergence decreased with increasing of soil cover, and no emergence observed when soil cover was more than 3 cm in both population. The results of the current study indicated that A. linifolium germinate in a wide range of climatic conditions and could invade into new regions falling under a broad range of environmental conditions. The outcomes of this study suggested that burying the seeds into the soil through tillage may reduce its emergence and infestation.

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