Seed germination and development of desert rose seedlings (Adenium obesum Roem. & Schult) on different substrates

ABSTRACT: Desert rose (Adenium obesum) is a succulent plant that is native to the Arabian Peninsula. It has great commercial value with exuberant structure and flowering. It can be propagated by seeds to ensure maximum development of the caudex. Despite its high economic value, studies on its propagation are still required. The aim of this study was to evaluate seed germination performance and seedling development of desert rose seedlings in different substrates. Treatments comprised five different substrate compositions: S1 (Soil), S2 (Sand), S3 (Carolina Soil commercial substrate), S4 (Sand + Carolina Soil), and S5 (Soil+ Carolina Soil). The following were evaluated using uni- and multi-variate approaches: germination, first count, germination speed index, caudex diameter, number of leaves, seedling length, root length, shoot length, and fresh mass and dry mass. Sand is the ideal substrate for the germination of A. obesum seeds, while for forming seedlings, mixtures of the Carolina Soil commercial substrate with sand or soil should be used.

摘要：沙漠玫瑰（Adenium obesum）是一种原产于阿拉伯半岛的多肉植物，其株型繁茂、花姿艳丽，具备极高的商业价值。该物种可通过播种繁殖，以实现其肉质块茎（caudex）的最优发育。尽管其经济价值颇高，但相关繁殖研究仍有待深化。本研究旨在评估不同基质条件下沙漠玫瑰种子的萌发性能与实生苗生长发育情况。试验设置5种基质配比处理：S1（园土）、S2（沙子）、S3（商用卡罗莱纳育苗基质（Carolina Soil commercial substrate））、S4（沙子+卡罗莱纳商用育苗基质）以及S5（园土+卡罗莱纳商用育苗基质）。本研究采用单变量与多变量分析方法，对以下指标进行测定：萌发率、初次萌发计数、萌发速度指数、块茎直径、叶片数、幼苗长度、根长、地上部长度，以及鲜重与干重。研究结果显示，沙子是沙漠玫瑰种子萌发的理想基质；而培育实生苗时，宜采用卡罗莱纳商用育苗基质与沙子或园土的混合基质。