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Germination, seedling emergence, growth and phenological patterns of two plant species found in an arid savannah region of Kenya were studied in relation to watering, rainfall and soil moisture under laboratory and field conditions. An initial 5 mm watering event triggered seedling emergence of Leptothrium senegalense (Kunth.) under laboratory conditions. Under field conditions, 24.3 mm and 9.6 mm of rainfall evoked emergence of the grass seedlings in rain-fed and irrigated plots, respectively, while 26.9 mm was necessary to evoke emergence of Indigofera spinosa (Forsk.). Watering alone did not evoke seedling emergence under field conditions. Seedling emergence was also associated with high relative humidity and low evaporative demand. Results confirmed a staggered seedling emergence pattern in both species. Seedling density was higher for L. senegalense than I. spinosa, indicating their r/k strategies. Grass seedlings were able to achieve reproductive maturity even under conditions of severe moisture stress (within 34 days) after 31.9 mm of rain. Indigofera spinosa seedlings, however, never attained the reproductive stage. A 2-month dry season spell resulted in 80-100% seedling mortality. Green-up of I. spinosa occurred with 5 mm of rainfall in 4-5 days. Podding of rain-fed and irrigated non-clipped I. spinosa was achieved in 29 and 14 days, respectively, with 31.9 mm of rain. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.