Germination and Emergence of Burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus)

Abstract

Mechanical scarification of burcucumber (Sicyos angulatusL.) seeds resulted in increased water absorption and germination. Burcucumber germination occurred at temperatures ranging from 15 to 35 C with optimum germination occurring from 20 to 30 C. Scarified burcucumber seeds were more sensitive to simulated moisture stress than were either soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr. ‘Williams’] or corn [Zea maysL. ‘Pioneer Brand 3369A’]. Regardless of osmotic potential, intact burcucumber seeds did not germinate; scarified seeds germinated at osmotic potentials to −6 bars. Cold stratification at 4 C for 18 weeks modified seedcoat permeability so that 11% of non-scarified burcucumber seeds germinated. Increasing depth of planting decreased emergence with limited emergence occurring at depths of 15 and 16 cm in field and growth chamber studies, respectively.