Screening of soil water content suitable for Areca catechu seedling root growth

ObjectiveThe present study was conducted to screen soil water content suitable for Areca catechu seedling root growth, in order to provide reference for drawing up irrigation standards for A. catechu seedlings. MethodPotted A. catechu seedlings were utilized in this study. Five soil water content treatments were set in the research, namely(30±5)%(T1), (45±5)%(T2), (60±5)% (T3), (75±5)% (T4) and (90±5)% (T5). After 60 days water control, fresh weight, dry weight, dry matter distribution, root activity and root morphology of A. catechu seedlings under each treatment were mea-sured. ResultUnder T5 condition, fresh weight and dry weight of root,stem,leaf and whole seedling were at the highest level. In addition, fresh weight of whole seedling was significantly heavier than those under other treatments(P<0.01, the same below). Dry weight of whole seedling, root fresh weight and root dry weight of A. catechu seedlings under T4 and T5 were significantly heavier than those under T1, T2 and T3(P<0.05). Under T1, T2 and T3, dry matter mostly distribut-ed to leaf and stem. In T1, ration of leaf dry matter to whole seedling dry matter increased 11.32%, stem dry matter ration increased 5.00% while root dry matter ration decreased 8.63%. Soil water content was positively correlated with seedling root activity, with correlation coefficient being 0.9545. Total dry weight, total fresh weight, total length, total surface area and total volume of seedlings under T4 and T5 treatment were significantly higher than those under T1 , T2 and T3. Con-clusion(75±5)%is the most appropriate soil water content for A. catechu seedling growth. Such condition is most suitable for A. catechu seedling root growth.