An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of salinity and temperature on the germination responses of three of the more commonly cultivated millet varieties in South-East regions of Iran, including common millet (Panicum miliaceum), pearl millet (Pennisetum galucum) and foxtail millet (Setaria italica). Seeds were exposed to different salinity levels equal to six osmotic potentials of 0 to -1.25 with -0.25 MPa intervals and three constant temperature treatments (15, 25 and 35°C). Cumulative germination percentage and germination rate were analyzed under different exerted treatments. Germination rate was calculated as the reciprocal of time to 50% germination in each combination of treatments. Our results indicate that temperature is more important than salinity level to obtain more favorable germination. The highest values of germination percentage and germination rate were obtained for higher temperatures with lower salinities. Also, decreased temperature alleviated the detrimental effects of salinity on studied traits, which indicates a synergistic effect of higher temperatures on detrimental effects of salinity. The lowest values of studied characters also were associated with lower temperatures, independent of salinity level. Results indicate that germination of seeds at high temperatures with low salinity levels, and high temperatures and high salinity levels was better than when seeds were germinated at low temperatures (independent of the salinity conditions). Also, foxtail millet had the highest germination percentage and germination rate at all salinity levels and temperatures while the lowest values belonged to pearl millet.

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