Effect of different water and combinations on the sustainable growth of chestnut sown seedlings
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Chestnut ( Castanea mollissima Bl.) is an important economic crop in Asia, and this study aimed to shorten the seedling cycle, improve seedling quality, and promote sustainable chestnut cultivation by identifying optimal water and fertilizer combinations. The experiment utilized a consistent seed source for the greenhouse nursery, selecting chestnut seedlings with similar growth after germination for further analysis. The study evaluated three levels of fertilizer treatments: S1 (CO(NH 2 ) 2 60 g/m 2 + P 2 O 5 27 g/m 2 + K 2 O 60 g/m 2 ), S2 (CO(NH 2 ) 2 45 g/m 2 + P 2 O 5 21 g/m 2 + K 2 O 50 g/m 2 ), and S3 (CO(NH 2 ) 2 30 g/m 2 + P 2 O 5 15 g/m 2 + K 2 O 40 g/m 2 ), and three irrigation levels: W1 (0.36 m 3 /m 2 ), W2 (0.24 m 3 /m 2 ), and W3 (0.12 m 3 /m 2 ), resulting in nine treatment combinations. Growth parameters were measured, including seedling height, diameter, biomass, root morphology, soluble sugar, starch content, and photosynthetic rate. The results showed that with increasing water and fertilizer concentrations, the growth of chestnut seedlings differed significantly, with the ranking of height and diameter at the end of the experiment being: S1W2 > S1W1 > S2W3 > S2W2 > S2W1 > S3W3 > S3W2 > S3W1 > S1W3. The S1W3 treatment, with excessive fertilizer concentration, inhibited seedling growth. Biomass and root morphology were positively correlated with fertilizer concentration, except in the S1W3 treatment. Additionally, lower irrigation combined with higher fertilizer application enhanced soluble sugar, starch accumulation, and sugar photosynthetic rate. The optimal combination for promoting chestnut seedling growth was S1W2(Fertilization value CO(NH₂)₂ 60 g/m 2 + P 2 O 5 27 g/m 2 + K 2 O 60 g/m 2 (S1), Irrigation value 0.24 m 3 /m 2 (W2)), suggesting that balanced fertilizer and water management can improve seedling quality and support sustainable chestnut cultivation.
Source: Discover Food
Authors: Yuhuan Wei, Qiong Dong
Institution: Southwest Forestry University
Language: English
Subfield: Nature and Landscape Conservation
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,590
OpenAlex ID: W4409450292