The Effects Of Container Types And Fertilization On Growth And Eco-physiological Characteristics Of Apple Container Seedlings

This experiment was designed to study the influences of different types of containers(root-controlling container, non-woven bags, nutrition bowl) and of different fertilizer proportions on the growth and quality of apple seedlings. 2-year-old ‘Nagafu No.2’/M26/Malus robusta Rehd was used in this study. This research can provide technical guidance for the high-quality apple seedling breeding. The main results were as follows:(1) Three different types of containers, including root-controlling container, non-woven bags and nutritive bowls, were used with all in 30*30 cm(Diameter*High). The morphological indexes, biomass, root architecture and the data of physiological effects of the apple seedlings in every container were analyzed. Results showed that the seedling height,ground diameter, biomass, total root length, the number of lateral roots, root surface area, root volume and total chlorophyll content in root-controlling container were significantly more than that in non-woven bags and that in nutritive bowls. Moreover, there was no deformity root in root-controlling container treatment, which turned to be the optimum seedling container in breeding of two- year apple seedlings.(2) All the different fertilizer proportions with different ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in this study, promoted the growth of apple seedlings. In five different kinds of treatments, the indexes of Treatment 4(N:P:K=1:2:4) had significant differences from Control with, the seedling plant height, stem-diameter, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, total biomass, leaf area, dry weight of leaf, chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate increased by64.86%, 63.89%, 49.88%, 46.25, 32.18%, 42.77%, 36.58%, 50.52%, 8.87% and32.28%, respectively. It was suggested that Treatment 4(N:P:K=1:2:4) was proved to be the optimum fertilizer proportion after comprehensive analysis of the different fertilizer proportions based on the growth and physiological effects of apple seedlings. In conclusion,using 5.5 g/strain/year N, 3 g/strain/year P, 24 g/strain/year K contributes to obtain high quality of apple container seedlings in production.