Laboratory experiments were conducted to study germination, emergence and establishment of yellow sweet clover (Melilotus indica). The seeds showed poor germination in Petri dishes due to a hard seed coat. Mechanical scarification, acid scarification and scarification by a short term exposure (4-5 min) to boiling water resulted in 100% germination of 1-, 2- and 3-year old seeds. Seedling emergence from non-scarified seeds was observed within 15 days. The emergence from surface sown seeds in pots was >80% and the emergence declined significantly with an increase in the seeding depth. Germination percentage, hypocotyl and radical growth of seedlings from seeds scarified by boiling were not inhibited by an osmotic potential upto -0.8 MPa .The growth was, however, inhibited by a salt stress of 40 mM NaCl indicating that the species is drought tolerant and salt sensitive. Plant growth was slow during the initial 60 days i. e. from November end to January end. The information could be exploited for developing strategies for the management of this weed.