Influence of sowing depth on the germination of Karoo shrubs and grasses

Abstract

Abstract Knowledge of the germination behaviour of desirable plants to be sown in the veld for veld improvement is still inadequate. To gain this knowledge, seed of different species of Karoo bushes and grasses were planted on two soil types at different planting depths. Germination percentage of all species tested were significantly lower when planted on the surface in sand as compared with depths of 10 and 20 mm. Germination percentages were also lower at the 0 to 2 mm planting depth than the 10 mm and 20 mm planting depths when planted in a sandy loam soil.