Effects of microbial inoculant on Seriphidium transiliense seed germination characteristics

To ensure reseeding survival rate, we measured the effects of different dilution multiples (× 10, × 100, × 1 000, × 3 000, × 5 000, × 10 000) of a variety of microbial inoculants on seed germination percentage, germination energy, root length, bud length, and seedling weight per plant of Seriphidium transiliense. Suitable seed treatment methods were then selected using principal component analysis and membership functions. The results showed that seed germination percentage, germination energy, root length, bud length, and seedling weight per S. transiliense plant increased with suitable dilution multiples of microbial inoculants; further, compared with the control, these indexes were significantly higher or did not differ significantly. The only exception was compound Bacillus, which decreased the seed germination and germination energy. According to a comprehensive evaluation of the membership functions, the microbial inoculants promoted seed germination and seedling growth in the following descending order: B. licheniformis, Paenibacillus polymyxa bacillus, compound B., Amyloliquefaciens, agricultural compound microorganism bacteria, Actinomyces, and EM bacteria. Combined with the potted results of microbial inoculant, B. licheniformis × 1 000, B. licheniformis × 10, B. licheniformis × 5 000, and Paenibacillus polymyxa × 1 000 were better at improving the germination and growth of S. transiliense as a whole and should the first choices for seed treatment before reseeding.