By applying 40-400 mmol x L(-1) NaCl, 20-200 mmol x L(-1) NaHCO3, and 5%-30% PEG, this paper studied the effects of saline-alkali and drought stress on the seed germination and Na+/H+ antiporter gene (TvNHX1) expression of Tripolium vulgare. 40-160 mmol x L(-1) NaCl, 20 mmol x L(-1) NaHCO3, and 5%-10% PEG-6000 had less effects on the seed germination; while > or = 240 mmol x L(-1) NaCl decreased the seed germination rate, root length, and shoot length (P < 0.05), > or = 50 mmol x L(-1) NaHCO3 decreased the seed germination rate (P < 0.05), 130 mmol x L(-1) NaHCO3 decreased the seed germination potential, root length, and shoot length (P < 0.05), and > or = 15% PEG delayed the seed germination. TvNHX1 transcripts were basically constitutive at germination stage, but their expression increased distinctly at 160 mmol x L(-1) NaCl, 100 mmol x L(-1) NaHCO3, and 10% PEG. Under salt and drought stress, the expression of TvNHX1 changed in-phase with the phenotype change of germinated seeds, suggesting that TvNHX1 play important roles in the tolerance of T. vulgare against adversity stress.