Abstract
In the first stage, levels of primary and secondary compounds, nutritive value of foliage from two fodder shrubs spiny broom (Calicotome villosa) and sweet broom (Genista spachiana) growing spontaneously in central and northern Tunisia were evaluated in order to study the ecology of species in the country. Feed components were determined by proximate analysis, while phenolic and tannin compounds were also analyzed. The foliage of C. villosa and G. spachiana is rich in protein (between 36 and 51%). These two species present good protein values and acceptable levels of secondary compounds that may make a choice forage for ruminants, especially during the lean season. In the second stage the study was to examine the germination characteristics of C. villosa and G. spachiana under controlled conditions with different levels of salt and water stress. Seeds were sown in NaCl solution at different concentrations: 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 g/l. The water-stress treatments used were 0, -0.03, -0.1, -0.7, -1 and -1.6 MPa obtained by adding PEG6000. C. villosa and G. spachiana can withstand salinity up to 15 g/l of salt (31% at 37% germination at 15 g/l) and also tolerate higher levels of PEG6000 (30% 40% germination at -1.6 MPa).