Germination and Emergence of Burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus)

Mechanical scarification of burcucumber ( Sicyos angulatus L.) seeds resulted in increased water absorption and germination. Burcucumber germination occurred at temperatures ranging from 15 to 35 C with optimum germination occurring from 20 to 30 C. Scarified burcucumber seeds were more sensitive to simulated moisture stress than were either soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Williams’] or corn [ Zea mays L. ‘Pioneer Brand 3369A’]. Regardless of osmotic potential, intact burcucumber seeds did not germinate; scarified seeds germinated at osmotic potentials to −6 bars. Cold stratification at 4 C for 18 weeks modified seedcoat permeability so that 11% of non-scarified burcucumber seeds germinated. Increasing depth of planting decreased emergence with limited emergence occurring at depths of 15 and 16 cm in field and growth chamber studies, respectively.