Selection of the suitable seeding rate of Carex breviculmis soilless turf based on the analytic hierarchy process and grey relational analysis

The effects of five sowing amounts (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 g·m⁻²) on the quality of Carex breviculmis soilless turf were studied. The results showed that the seeding rates significantly affected turf quality. With the increase of the seeding rate, the scores of turf density, texture, coverage, average degree, and other indicators were significantly increased (P < 0.05), while aboveground biomass showed no significant change (P > 0.05). Underground biomass increased first and then decreased (P < 0.05). According to a comprehensive evaluation system using the analytic hierarchy process and grey correlation analysis method, with the increase of the seeding amount, the quality of the soilless turf of C. breviculmis increased first and then decreased, and the treatment of 20 g·m⁻² ranked first in terms of equal weight or weight. However, there was no significant difference in the other indicators between the 15 and 20 g·m⁻² treatments, except for underground biomass. Therefore, under the conditions of this experiment, the appropriate sowing rate for the production of soilless grass of green Carex moss should be controlled at 15～20 g·m⁻².