Prior fertilization enables higher survival of relocated terricolous orchids?

Abstract The construction of highways causes several impacts on the environment, including, the suppression of vegetation, which can lead to reduced biodiversity. One mitigating measure involves reallocating plant to protected areas and orchids might be important for this use. An example could be the terricolous orchid Sauroglossum nitidum. In an attempt to optimize the survival of S. nitidum following reallocation, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the fertilization can increase the survival of this orchid. For this, five lots with ten plants per lot were randomly separated, with five plants submitted to soluble fertilization with NPK 10-52-10 (1 g.L-1), spraying each plant with 1 mL of the fertilizer, and the other five sprayed with the same volume of distilled water. This treatment was repeated fortnightly for two months before reallocation. The plants were relocated in September 2015 and monitored monthly until November 2016. Overall orchid survival was 92%. Additionally, flowering was observed to be significantly higher in fertilized plants. In conclusion, reallocation of S. nitidum with previous NPK fertilization is recommended.

摘要：高速公路建设会对环境造成多重负面影响，其中包括植被遭到破坏，进而可能引发生物多样性下降。一种可行的缓解措施是将受影响植物重新移栽至保护区，而兰科植物（Orchidaceae）在此类生态修复应用中具备重要价值。以陆生兰种光亮蛇唇兰（Sauroglossum nitidum）为例，为优化其移栽后的存活率，本研究旨在探究施肥能否提升该兰科植物的存活水平。
为此，研究将总计50株供试植株随机划分为5组，每组10株：每组内5株接受氮磷钾（NPK）10-52-10型可溶性肥料处理（浓度1 g·L⁻¹），每株喷施1 mL肥料溶液，剩余5株则喷施等体积的蒸馏水作为对照。该处理在植株移栽前连续开展两个月，每两周重复一次。供试植株于2015年9月完成移栽，并每月进行一次监测，直至2016年11月。
整体而言，供试兰科植物的存活率达92%。此外，施肥组植株的开花率显著高于对照组。综上，建议在移栽光亮蛇唇兰前预先施加NPK肥料。