Effect of Orientation of Seed Placement and Depth of Sowing on Seedling Emergence in Sterculia urens Roxb.

A study was made to know the influence of orientation of seed placement in soil on seedling emergence in Sterculia urens Roxb. (Sterculiaceae), an important gum yielding tree of deciduous forests. Seeds were sown in soil at 2 cm and 4 cm depth in vertical (micropyle end upward), horizontal (micropylar end sideways) and inverted (micropylar end downward) orientations. Maximum germination (80%) occurred in horizontal and vertical orientation at 4 cm and 2 cm depth respectively. Early emergence and significantly higher seedling vigour occurred when seeds were sown at 2 cm depth in vertical orientation.