Effect of Different Peat Substitute Substrates on the Growth and Quality of Seedlings of Handroanthus chrysanthus (Jacq.) S.O. Grose

Abstract

With the depletion of peat resources, local agricultural and forestry wastes represent potential seedling substrate materials. We investigated the effects of mixed substrates supplemented with peat replacements, such as decomposed eucalyptus bark, coconut bran, and carbonized rice husk, on the growth of Handroanthus chrysanthus (Jacq.). We screened suitable organic substrates for the production of seedlings of H. chrysanthus to provide a theoretical basis for its scientific cultivation. The proportions of 15 types of substrates were determined by using simplex center-of-gravity mixing. The physical properties of different mixed substrates were studied, and the growth, biomass, root development, and photosynthesis of seedlings were analyzed. The quality of seedlings was comprehensively evaluated, and the optimal substrate ratio was obtained through regression analysis. Substrate compositions had significantly different effects on growth, biomass, root morphology, and photosynthesis. The results of these single-index analyses were corroborated by using principal component analysis. Adding decomposed eucalyptus bark was beneficial to the growth of seedlings, whereas coconut bran and perlite restricted growth. The results show that decomposed eucalyptus bark can replace peat as a container seedling substrate. The substrate formula can be used to provide technical support and a theoretical basis for the scientific cultivation of high-quality light matrix seedlings of H. chrysanthus.