Adaptability of Plukenetia volubilis in karst rocky desertification area in southwest Guangxi

ObjectiveGrowth adaptability of oil plant,Plukenetia volubilis Linneoin karst rocky desertification area in southwest Guangxi was observed to provide scientific reference for its cultivation and promotion in rocky desertifica-tion area in southwest Guangxi.MethodA series of experiments on the introduction and cultivation of P. volubilis were conducted in Longhe ecological reconstruction demonstration zone,Pingguo County,Guangxi from 2013 to 2015. The characteristics of seed germination,seedling growth,flowering,fruiting,seed traits and overwintering were investigated and analyzed.ResultIt lasted 36 d from seeding to the end of germination for P. volubilis seeds with germination rate of 93.8%. The maximum increment of main stem of seedlings was 106.3 cm. It took about 150 d for budding since seeding,and another 125-140 d for fruit ripening. The period of flowering and fruiting lasted 4-5 months,but the fruit could not naturally ripen in the first year of cultivation. It had to wait till the second year. Dates of early flowering,full flowering(fruit) and fruit ripening of P. volubilis became earlier with growing age of plant within the first three years. Meanwhile,severity of cold damage gradually declined,while single seed weight,kernel rate,and oil content increased.ConclusionTo cultivate P. volubilis in karst rocky desertification area in southwest Guangxi,it is more suitable to choose areas in south of Longhe demonstration zone,pingguo,Guangxi where extreme low temperature is higher than other areas,or to select and breed cold resistant varieties through technical measures.