Effects of Sowing Depth on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Leymus chinensis

A pot experiment was designed to study the effects of seven sowing depths of 0cm,1cm,2cm,3cm,4cm,5cm and 6cm on seed germination and seedling growth of Leymus chinensis.Results showed that emergence percentage showed extremely significant positive correlationship with the germination percentage(r=0.9147) while extremely significant negative correlationship(r=-0.9408)with the sowing depth.Under the sowing depth of 0~2cm,the initial emergence time was 5.0~7.7d and the final emergence percentages were 70.0%~80.7%.When the depths were 4~5cm,the initial emergence time were delayed to 16.3~20.0d,the germination percentage decreased to 41.0%~43.0%,the emergence percentage was lower than 7% and the seedling height was no more than 2cm.When the sowing depth was deeper than 6cm,the germination percentage was 37.0% but no seedling emerged.In addition,the sowing depths also significantly affected the seedling height,fresh weight of the stem-leaf and the number of the leaves.In conclusion,sowing depth was one of the most important factors affecting the seed germination,emergence and seedling growth of L.chinensis.The optimal burial depths was 1~2cm and it should not exceed than 3cm.Improving the seed germination,sowing at shallow depth,and supplying sufficient water during the seedling period were effective strategies for improving seedling emergence and saving seeds of L.chinensis.