GERMINATION, EMERGENCE, AND SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT OF BUFFALO GOURD (CUCURBITA-FOETIDISSIMA)

Studies were conducted to determine the effects of scarification, temp erature, osmotic potential, and pH on seed germination of buffalo gour d and to examine seedling emergence and establishment. Mechanical and chemical scarification did not increase germination compared to non-sc arified seed. Seed germinated at constant temperatures in the dark fro m 15 to 37 C with optimum germination at 25 C. As osmotic potentials b ecame more negative from -0.1 to 4.8 M[Pa, germination decreased from 77 to 53%. Germination increased from 15% at pH 2.2 to 90% at pH 8. Se edlings 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 shoo ts were removed.