<p>Drought and salinity are critical abiotic factors influencing plant emergence, growth, and reproduction, with important implications for domestication and conservation. Although the baobab tree (<i>Adansonia digitata</i> L.) is widely recognized for its tolerance to dry conditions, the relative importance of drought and salinity during seed germination remains insufficiently documented. This study assessed the effects of drought and salinity stress on the germination of baobab seeds from three provenances in Senegal, with particular attention to provenance-specific responses. Under laboratory conditions and using a randomized complete block design, seeds were exposed to three levels of drought stress (0, − 4, and − 8 bars) and three salinity levels (0, 20, and 40 mMol NaCl). Germinated seeds were recorded daily for 28 days. Germination traits, including germination rate, time spread, and mean germination time, were analyzed using log-logistic distributions and generalized linear models. Results showed that drought stress significantly reduced germination rates across all provenances, whereas salinity exerted a comparatively moderate effect, mainly delaying germination without reducing final germination success. No statistically significant interaction between drought and salinity was detected, indicating that these stressors act independently during germination. Provenance-related differences further highlighted the role of local adaptation in shaping germination responses under water-limited conditions. Overall, these findings demonstrated that drought is the primary ecological filter affecting baobab seed germination, while salinity may play a secondary role at early developmental stages. This information is essential for conservation, restoration, and regeneration strategies in dryland ecosystems increasingly affected by climate change.</p>