Effects of fertilizer and light cover on growth of Fibraurea tinctoria Lour at the stage of nursery

Abstract

Fibraurea tinctoria Lour is a woody vine, which has high economic and
utilisation values. It is an important ingredient used in traditional and processed medicine to treat inflammatory, yellow fever, and gastrointestinal diseases. Results showed that survival and growth rate of seedlings were significantly higher in the treatment of applying dissolved NPK (5:10:3) in water with concentration of 5% every two months, in comparison with applying compost and control (no fertiliser). After 8 months of NPK application, survival rate, stem diameter at root collar (Doo), and total height (Hvn) were 89.8%, 0.38cm and 21.09cm, respectively. Shading significantly affected survival and growth rates of F. tinctoria seedlings in the nursery. In the first 2 months after transplanting into pots, survival and growth rate of seedlings were significantly highest in the shading level of 75%; survival rate, Doo and Hvn were 98.2%, 0.26cm and 11.73cm, respectively. In the period from 2 - 6 months after transplanting, shading level of 50% showed the best; survival rate, Doo and Hvn were 91.7%, 0.34cm and 17.32cm, respectively. From 6 - 8 months after planting, shading level of 25% was most suitable; survival rate, Doo and Hvn were 89.8%, 0.39cm and 21.2cm, respectively. After 8 months, shading can be removed totally for training seedlings before planting without any effect on survival and growth rate. Thus, fertiliser and light significantly affected survival and growth rates of F. tinctoria seedlings in the nursery.