Germination of native desert shrubs

Germination and depth-of-emergence were studied in seven species of desert shrubs, because the shrubs are of potential use as vegetative cover on disturbed desert sites. All the shrubs germinated adequately in the laboratory. Field emergence from a depth of 1 or 2 cm (0.4 or 0.8 in.) was adequate for the four larger-seeded species, but even at 1 cm it was poor for two species and zero for the smallest-seeded species. Emergence of all species was inhibited by planting depths of 4 cm (1.6 in.) and greater.