Seedling Emergence of Wheat and Gram in Relation to Soil Water Potential, Temperature and Seeding Depth

The effect of soil water potential (−0.5 and −1.0 bar), temperature (20 and 25°C) and seeding depth (3,6 and 9 cm) on emergence per cent and rate, and emergence rate index (ERI) of wheat and gram was investigated under controlled condition. Higher soil water potential (SWP) and temperature, and shallower seeding depth expedited commencement and rate of seedling emergence of both resulting in higher ERI. Wheat seedling emergence began earlier at 25°C but the total emergence was less than at 20°C. In gram, total emergence was comparable at 20 and 25°C. Increase in depth of seeding to 6 and 9 cm reduced ERI of gram to 23.1 and 42.3%, respectively, with no interactive effect of SWP and temperature. Wheat ERI showed significant interaction between SWP and seeding depth. Seedling emergence of wheat appeared more sensitive to deep seeding than that of gram particularly at lower soil water potential.