Seed Burial Depth and Soil Water Content Affect Seedling Emergence and Growth of Ulmus pumila var. sabulosa in the Horqin Sandy Land

Abstract

Abstract:We investigated the effects of seed burial depth and soil water content on seedling emergence and growth of Ulmus pumila var. sabulosa (sandy elm), an important native tree species distributed over the European-Asian steppe. Experimental sand burial depths in the soil were 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 cm, and soil water contents were 4%, 8%, 12% and 16% of field capacity. All two-way ANOVA (five sand burial depths and four soil water contents) results showed that seed burial depths, soil water content and their interactions significantly affected all the studied plant variables. Most of the times, seedling emergence conditions were greater at the lower sand burial depths (less than 1.0 cm) than at the higher (more than 1.0 cm) seed burial depths, and at the lower water content (less than 12%) than at the higher soil water content. However, high seed burial depths (more than 1.5 cm) or low soil water content (less than 12%) reduced seedling growth or change in the root/shoot biomass ratios. In conclusion, the most suitable range of sand burial was from 0.5 to 1.0 cm soil depth and soil water content was about 12%, respectively, for the processes of seedling emergence and growth. These findings indicate that seeds of the sandy elm should be kept at rather shallow soil depths, and water should be added up to 12% of soil capacity when conducting elm planting and management. Our findings could help to create a more appropriate sandy elm cultivation and understand sparse elm woodland recruitment failures in arid and semi-arid regions.

Comparing seeds germination of some local plant species on two hydroseeding mulches for post mining revegetation

“…The medium with moderate water holding capacity was better for seed germination and the most suitable range of medium water content for the process of seedling emergence and growth was about 12%. Either low or excessive media water content would reduce the ability of seedling emergence and growth (Gairola et al, 2011;Tang et al analysis of all seeds germination rate in both media using Cubic Equation (Table 2) , 2016). The nalysis of all seeds germination rate in both media using Cubic Equation (Table 2) showed y = -0.0217x 3 + 0.2869x 2 + 1.6164x from this equation, it was known that the maximum germination rate of all seeds in both media occurred in 11 DAS (Figure 3).…”

Composition and density of soil seed bank in Afar Region, Northeast Ethiopia

“…These might be due to the size of the seeds which moved down to the lower soil layers [46]. Moreover, the germination of the SBs in the lower soil layers might be the effects of soil depth hindered from emergence [9] and insufficiency of soil moisture to reach lower soil layers [61] Other reasons might be due to the effects of disturbance such as grazing of the study areas and harsh climatic conditions.…”

Experimental sand burial affects seedling survivorship, morphological traits, and biomass allocation of <i>Ulmus pumila</i> var. <i>sabulosa</i> in the Horqin Sandy Land, China

“…All seeds were covered by sand to a depth of 0.5-1.0 cm. In a parallel study, we found that depth was the most suitable, promoting the greatest percentage and speed of seedling emergence for sandy elm (Tang et al, 2016). Holes in the bottom of the pots were covered with nylon mesh to prevent soil loss, while allowing drainage of water.…”

“…Sand movement, the most direct evidence of land degradation, is regarded as a selective force determining colonization, establishment, and development of vegetation (Maun, 1994;Maun and Lapierre, 1986). Plants might respond differently to various degrees of sand burial and evolve different regenerative adaptations during the periods of soil seed bank formation, seed germination, and seedling emergence and development (Li et al, 2014;Qian et al, 2015;Tang et al, 2016).…”