Germination, Emergence, and Seedling Establishment of Buffalo Gourd (<i>Cucurbita foetidissima</i>)

Abstract

Studies were conducted to determine the effects of scarification, temperature, osmotic potential, and pH on seed germination of buffalo gourd and to examine seedling emergence and establishment. Mechanical and chemical scarification did not increase germination compared to non-scarified seed. Seed germinated at constant temperatures in the dark from 15 to 37 C with optimum germination at 25 C. As osmotic potentials became more negative from −0.1 to −0.8 MPa, germination decreased from 77 to 53%. Germination increased from 15% at pH 2.2 to 90% at pH 8. Seedlings were able to emerge from depths as great as 12 cm, and plants younger than 19 d were not able to sprout from the roots when the shoots were removed.