Effect of seedbed types on seed germination and seedling growth of Epilobium fangii

Taking the seeds of the high-altitude plant Epilobium fangii as seeding material, five kinds of soil beds (meadow soil A, bactericidal meadow soil B, sandy soil, purple soil, and humus soil) and one paper bed were set up. The culture was carried out at a constant temperature of 18 ℃. The germination index was measured from 0～21 d after sowing: seedling traits were measured on the 30^th day, and seedling survival was measured on the 40^th day. The effects of seedbed type on seed germination and seedling growth were studied. The results showed that: 1) Seedbed type had a highly significant influence on seed germination (P < 0.01).The initial germination time in the meadow soil was the shortest, and germination rate and germination index both reached a maximum in the sand soil and paper bed, yet germination indices were lower in the purple soil and humus soil. 2) Seedbed types had a highly significant effect on seedling traits (P < 0.01). In the meadow soil A, seedling rate reached 98.33% and root-shoot ratio was the largest. Number of leaves, seedling height, and stem diameter in the sandy soil and purple soil were all lower than those in meadow soil, but higher than those in paper bed and humus soil. The seedling rate of humus soil was only 46.67%, in which seedlings were dwarfed. The root-shoot ratio of paper bed was the smallest. 3) Seedbed types had a highly significant influence on lodging rate, mortality, and seedling rate (P < 0.01). The lodging and mortality rates of paper bed and sand bed were the highest, yet the lowest lodging rate and 0 seedling rate were observed in the humus soil. The seedling rate in the purple soil was 2.01% and meadow soil A had the highest seedling rate. 4) The source soil was beneficial to seed germination, growth, and survival of E. fangii seedlings. The reasons for serious seedling lodging and death require further study.