Xanthium spinosum， a highly invasive plant known for its rapid reproduction and widespread dispersal， significantly impacts the production of food and forage crops. It leads to reduced crop yields， diminished quality， and pasture degradation， making its control crucial for agricultural production. In this study， we investigated the effects of six sand burial depths （1 cm， 2 cm， 3 cm， 5 cm， 7 cm， and 9 cm） on seed germination， seedling growth， and allometric relationships of X. spinosum. The aim was to explore the ecological control of X. spinosum and the crop sowing strategies. The results were as follows： The germination index and emergence rate in the 7 cm and 9 cm burial depth treatments were significantly lower than those in other treatment groups. The plant height， plant weight， number of thorns， and thorn length were all significantly lower than those in the treatments with burial depths of 1 cm and 2 cm. （P<0.05）. The root-to-shoot ratio in the 7 cm and 9 cm burial depth treatments was significantly higher than that in other treatment groups （P<0.05）. The allometric exponent of stem dry weight in the 3 cm burial depth was significantly lower than those in the 5 cm， 7 cm， and 9 cm treatment groups （P<0.05）. Overall， deeper sand burial inhibited the seed germination and seedling growth of X. spinosum. Therefore， this study laid a theoretical foundation for the scientific prevention and control of X. spinosum and crop sowing. It is advisable to conduct deep plowing before crop sowing.

Sand burial depth  /  Biological invasion  /  Allometric growth  /  Biomass  /  Xanthium spinosum