Abstract:

Effects of different container nursery substrate on emergence and growth of Diospyros lotus seedings were studied by cultivation shaping of non-woven fabrics technique. Besides, we valuated the nursery effect of different container substrates by factor analysis method in order to search for the suitable seeding container substrate in Diospyros lotus cultivation seedings. Diospyros lotus emergence rate in the first treatment (Vpeat∶Vpearlite=3∶1), the second treatment (Vpeat∶Vpearlite=2∶1) and the seventh treatment (Vpeat∶Vvermiculite∶Vpearlite=6∶1∶1) was significant lower than other treatments being 95.8%, respectively. However, Diospyros lotus emergence rate of the fourth (Vpeat∶Vvermiculite=3∶1), the fifth (Vpeat∶Vvermiculite= 2∶1) and the sixth (Vpeat∶Vvermiculite=1∶1) treatment was 100%. Multiple comparison results showed that seedling height and ground diameter of Diospyros lotus in the third treatment was the lowest in all of the treatments, while the fourth treatment and the sixth treatment were higher than others. Ground diameter of Diospyros lotus in the fourth, sixth, and the seventh treatment were higher than other treatments. While the biomass in the fourth treatment and the sixth treatment were higher than others, being 69.28 g and 72.67 g of above ground part biomass, 34.36 g and 34.13 g of under ground part biomass, respectively. Biomass in the third (Vpeat∶Vpearlite=1∶1) and the fifth treatment were the lowest in all the treatments. The correlative coefficients between substrate physicochemical property and the growth of Diospyros lotus seedlings were not significant. Result of factor analysis and healthy seedling index was not coincident. Factor analysis method was suitable for valuation on the nursery effect. Result showed that the sixth treatment was the best compound substrate for Diospyros lotus cultivation, next came the fourth and the seventh treatment, while the third treatment was the worst in all the treatments.