Research on the Effects of Light Intensity and Seeding Density on the Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Liriodendron chinense

Abstract

It provides a theoretical basis for the artificial promotion of the reproduction and regeneration of Liriodendron chinense through exploring the effects of light intensity and seeding density on the seed germination and seedling growth of this rare plant. Controlled experiments were conducted by setting different seeding densities and shading intensities to observe and detect the seed germination and seedling growth under different experimental conditions. The data were analyzed by SPSS and the model was fitted to calculate the seed germination rate, seedling emergence rate and seedling growth parameters of Liriodendron chinense, which were used to analyze the effects of seeding density and light intensity on the seed germination and seedling growth of Liriodendron chinense. Light has a significant impact on the seed germination and seedling growth of Liriodendron chinense (P < 0.01), while seeding density has no remarkable effect on the same (P > 0.05). High density promotes the seedling height (the seedling height showed a rising trend with the increase of seeding density, reaching the highest at 500 seeds/m 2 . “3-stitch + 300 seeds/m 2 ” combination is an appropriate condition for Liriodendron chinense reproduction since it can realize higher germination rate and better seedling growth potential. The seedling height and basal diameter growth curve of Liriodendron chinense fits well to the Logistic equation (R 2 ≥ 0.977). Light has a significant impact on the seed germination and seedling growth of Liriodendron chinense, and appropriate shading treatment can increase the seed germination rate and seedling emergence rate of Liriodendron chinense. Seeding density has little influence on the seed germination rate of Liriodendron chinense, but high density will promote seedling height.