Effects of different chloride salts on seed germination and early seedling performance of Ceratonia siliqua, a multipurpose tree of the Mediterranean region

•Seeds of ceratonia siliqua emerge beyond 120 mM for specific chloride salts.•CaCl2 and MgCl2 were the most inhibitory based-chloride salts on seed germination.•Low CaCl2 concentration (40 mM) promoted seedling growth.•Carob tree could be a promising candidate to restore moderately saline soils.