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）是原产于阿拉伯半岛的肉质植物，其株型繁茂、开花艳丽，具备极高商业价值。该物种可通过播种繁殖，以最大化促进其块根茎（caudex）的发育。尽管其经济价值颇高，但目前仍需开展更多针对其繁殖技术的研究。本研究旨在探究不同基质下沙漠玫瑰种子的萌发表现及实生苗生长发育情况。试验设置5种不同基质配比处理：S1（园土）、S2（河沙）、S3（商用卡罗莱纳基质（Carolina Soil commercial substrate））、S4（河沙+卡罗莱纳基质）、S5（园土+卡罗莱纳基质）。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、发芽势、萌发速度指数、块根茎直径、叶片数、实生苗株高、根长、地上部长度以及鲜重与干重。研究结果显示，河沙是沙漠玫瑰（Adenium obesum）种子萌发的理想基质；而培育实生苗时，宜选用商用卡罗莱纳基质与河沙或园土的混合基质。