EFFECTS OF SOWING DEPTH ON REMOBILIZATION AND TRANSLOCATION OF SEED PHOSPHORUS RESERVES Authors: M. Nadeem, A. Mollier, S. Pellerin ISPA, INRA, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, Villenave dOrnon, France Journal: Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (JAPS) ISSN: 1018-7081 (Print), 2309-8694 (Online) Volume: 28 Issue: 3 Pages: 934-939 Year: 2018 DOI: NA URL: https://doi.org/NA Publisher: Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum Abstract: Sowing depth can affect seedling establishment due to poor remobilization and translocation of seed reserves towards newly growing maize seedling sinks. A pot study was conducted to investigate the relationship between seedling phytomass and phosphorus ( P) source-sink as affected by three sowing depths. Uniform maize seeds were planted in plastic pots at 2, 5 or 8 cm sowing depths and placed in a completely randomized design. Results revealed that seed phytomass, P hydrolysis and P translocation to newly growing sinks were significantly (pd0.05) higher at shallow sowing depths compared to deeper ones. Seed P source was efficiently utilized by seedlings at 2 cm depth due to higher P loading to leaves ( 60%) and roots (3 4%). However, developed seedling sinks at deeper depths caused a significant increase in leaf P concentrations, expressing a poor utilization of P source in terms of seedling phytomass. Results suggested a good relationship of source-sink for P remobilization and translocation at shallow showing depth and sowing seeds at 2 cm depth could results in better source P utilization and healthy crop stand for sustainable agriculture. or deeper depths could result in complete failure of Keywords: Emergence, phosphorus, phytomass, remobilization, sink, source, sowing depth, Zea mays.