Effects of Type and Size of Growing Media on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Pinus gerardiana

Abstract

Chilgoza pine (Pinus gerardiana Wall.) is an important but endangered tree species in Afghanistan. Due to poor natural regeneration, seed-related dormancy and anthropogenic factors, the IUCN put this species on the red list. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate the effect of growing medium and polybag sizes on seed germination and seedling growth. In this study, four growing media of soil (So), compost (Co), forest soil (Fs) and sand (Sa), viz., M1 (So + Co + Fs); M2 (Fs + Co + Sa); M3 (So + Fs + Sa); and M4 (Sa + Co + Fs) and three polybag sizes including P1 (16 cm×16 cm), P2 (18 cm×18 cm), and P3 (21 cm×26 cm) were used and arranged in the frame of 4×3 factorial design to assess their effects on germination and seedling growth. The results revealed that among different growing media treatments, higher germination and seedling growth parameters were observed on treatment M4 (Sand + Compost + Forest Soil). Seedling growth parameters were significantly affected by polybag size, and the highest seedling growth parameters were obtained for Large Polybag size (P3).