Effects of different topdressing levels on growth and yield formation of Salicornia bigelovii Torr.

ObjectiveGrowth and yield formation of Salicornia bigelovii were studied by using different topdressing levels in order to provide theoretical references for introduction cultivation of Salicornia bigelovii. MethodThe biological trait investigation and statistical analysis of Salicornia bigelovii were carried out by using different urea-compound fertilizer (1∶1) topdressing levels(0, 75, 150, 225, 300 kg/ha). ResultTopdressing levels of compound fertilizer had significant effects on growth and development of Salicornia bigelovii,and they showed a positive correlation within 0-225 kg/ha topdressing level. The peak yield of edible tender stems and seeds was about 30000 and 3000 kg/ha in the level of 225 kg/ha, respectively, while the effects of 300 kg/ha treatment began to decline. The topdressing level of 225 kg/ha was suitable for the growth and yield formation of Salicornia bigelovii,especially presented dominant in plant height,stem diameter,branch number and biomass (especially aboveground). The correlation fitting curves between plant height,branch number,inter-node length,stem diameter and topdressing level were obtained like as y=30.069+1.845x-0.059x2,y=15.897+0.377x+0.019x2-0.001x3,y=1.997+0.073x-0.003x2,y=0.300+2.381×10-5x+0.001x2-4.667×10-5x3,which reached the significant level. ConclusionThe correlation fitting curves between plant height,branch number,inter-node length,stem diameter and topdressing level reached significant level. The 225 kg/ha topdressing of urea-compound (1∶1) fertilizer was the best for growth and yield formation of Salicornia bigelovii.