Seed Germination and Seedling Establishment of Pterocarya stenoptera as Affected by Groundwater Table and Seeding Depth

An indoor test was carried out to investigate effects of seeding depth (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 cm beneath sand) and ground water table (0 ,-2 ,-4, -6, -8 and -10cm from soil surface) on seed germination of Pterocarya stenoptera and establishment of their seedlings. It was found that seed germination was the highest with the groundwater table at 0 - -4cm and seedling establishment the best with ground water table at -6cm. With increasing seeding depth, seed germination decreased and delayed and root/canopy ratio in biomass increased. In the 11^th week of the test, no significant difference in plant height was found between seedlings in plots different in seeding depth, indicating that seeding depth does not have any significant impact on seedling growth.Seeding depth of 1-3cm is the most favorable for seed germination and afterward seedling growth.