ABSTRACT
Depth of planting exerts an important influence on the germination and development of plants, especially those from seed. Deep planting generally lengthens the seedling stage. Examples of the value of shallow planting versus deep planting for disease management are found in the modern plant pathology literature. An increase in the depth of planting increases the amount of several smuts of the seedling types. The perfect stands found in many traditional systems testify to skill in manipulating depth of planting. Bassal recommended a specific depth of planting for almost all of the crops of importance in Islamic Spain in the eleventh century. Morgan-Jones and Sif-El-Nasr reported that in Egypt farmers had different strategies for planting cereals. Seed broadcast one hour after flooding had the least disease. Planted at a shallower depth, sprouts will emerge; and, even if attacked by the fungus, can survive to produce a productive plant.
