Study on substrates selection for container seedling breeding of Platycladus orientalis

Using peat, straw powder, organic fertilizer, sand, perlite and vermiculite as substrate materials, mixed with different proportions to make different substrate formulations, this paper studied substrates selection for container-grow-seedling breeding of Platycladus orientalis according to the test of the seedling´s growth performance and physical properties of different substrates. The result showed that the emergence rate of young seedlings, their growth condition, as well as physical properties for different substrates significantly differed compared to control group which was the known commercial substrate formulation. The seedlings grown in second substrate formulation (peat: straw powder: organic fertilizer: vermiculite = 1:1:1:1) showed great growth and biomass, similar to the control group, and the PH value and electrical conductivity value of this substrate formulation was almost same as control group´s. All these indicated that second substrate formulation was the most economic and practical substrate for container-grown-seedling breeding of P. orientalis.