Effect of soil temperature and depth of planting on the emergence and development of sorghum seedlings in the greenhouse

• Published in: Agronomy journal Vol. 27; no. 8; pp. 660 - 665
• Main Authors: Martin, J.H, Taylor, J.W, Leukel, R.W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 1935
• Subjects: planting depth; seed germination; seedling emergence; soil temperature; Sorghum (Poaceae)
• ISSN: 0002-1962; 1435-0645

The percentage and rapidity of germination in sorghums were reduced by soil temperatures below 25 degrees C and slightly reduced by deep planting (2 1/2 inch). Seedling development was retarded by lower soil temperatures within the range from 35 degrees to 15 degrees C. Development also was retarded by deep planting at 15 degrees C soil temperatures but not at higher temperatures. The length of the coleoptile of sorghum seedlings was greatest in varieties producing large seedlings and was increased slightly by deep planting and low soil temperatures. The length of the subcrown internode varied directly with the depth of planting and was increased by soil temperatures above 25 degrees C. At high soil temperatures, many of the seedlings formed their crowns above the soil surface. The number of crown roots was generally greatest from shallow plating at high soil temperatures. The number of subcrown rootlets was greatest from deep planting at high soil temperatures.