Effects of three biomaterials mixed with growing media on seedling quality of Prunus sargentii

Abstract Quality of produced seedlings relies mainly on the substrate on which it grows and develops. In this study, three common biomaterials – pine bark, carbonized rice husk and mushroom sawdust, were mixed with growing media in two ratios (10% and 20%) to assess their effects on growth and seedling quality of Prunus sargentii seedlings in containerized production system. Generally, 10% pine bark treatment showed the highest results among others in some parameters of seedling growth – height and root collar diameter. For total biomass, 10% rice husk treatment was highest, followed by 10% pine bark treatment. Seedling quality index at 10% rice husk treatment resulted highest (24% increase compared to control) followed by 10% pine bark treatment (20% increase compared to control). Our results suggested that both rice husk and pine bark can be used in 10% mixed ratio to growing media to gain the qualified P. sargentii seedlings in forest nurseries, which in turn, will help to establish successful reforestation in the field