This study performed an analysis of Abies koreana, which is a special species of fir that grows in the mountains of South Korea. In order to determine which level of bed soil would be best suited for the plant, A. koreana seedlings were planted in various types of soil and the growth response was monitored, characteristics and environmental factors in order to determine the most suitable soil for the plant to thrive.
A. koreana has many issues growing in Korea, but very little research has focused on container seedlings. For this experiment, this study was purchased horticultural bed soil for the seedlings, which was the most common bed soil found on the market. This experiment was able to analyze the data identify the best bed soil for planting and create a business model for A. koreana container seedlings.
1) Chemical composition analysis of the bed soil
As a result of the chemical composition analysis of the bed soil for six different seedlings, all were able to maintain a pH level 5.07-6.11, which is a suitable level for growing crops. It was determined that the growth of A. koreana seedlings in low pH bed soil was positive. The porosity of the bed soil was lowest in bed soil A at 80.5% and 89.2~95.1% in the other beds, which is within the suitable range. In the case of bed soil A, which has the lowest porosity rate and soil moisture rate. The survival rate was considered to be the lowest as it affected the growth of A. koreana container seedlings.
2) Growth characteristics of Abies koreana container seedlings and H/D ratio
After a comprehensive analysis of the growth characteristics of A. koreana container seedlings, it was found that bed soil HA resulted in the highest growth. The root collar diameter was higher in bed soil A, HA, AVP and HAVP, while the width of the crown resulted in high results for bed soil A and HA. In bed soil HVP, height, root collar diameter, and the width of the crown generated the lowest results. The H/D ratio of A. koreana container seedlings were in the range of 2.84 ~ 3.59, suggesting that they were healthy seedlings.
3) Dry weight to the bed soil and QI
As a result of the investigation on the dry weight to the bed soil, it was found that bed soil A and HA have high dry weight of leaves, stems, and roots. Bed soil HVP was the lowest. The quality index(QI) was the highest value of 1.15 in bed soil A, and 1.02 in bed soil HA, so the QI of bed soil A and HA were the highest. The lowest value was 0.36 in bed soil HVP.
4) Chlorophyll content and photosynthetic yields
As a result of the chlorophyll content of the leaves of A. koreana seedlings according to the bed soil. Bed soil HA was the highest, followed by bed soil HAVP. Bed soil HVP was the lowest. The analysis of photosynthetic yields on A. koreana seedlings determined that bed soil HA had the highest, followed by bed soil A. Bed soil H had the lowest.
5) Root morphological
Studying the total root length, total surface area, total project area, root morphological and average diameter of A. koreana determined that bed soil HA was the highest, followed by bed soil AVP. Bed soil HVP was the lowest.
6) Results of this experiment
Judging from the results of this experiment, in the case of A. koreana container seedlings, the container with the best seed growth, quality index, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis yield and root morphological results were determined with bed soil HA. In the case of bed soil A, the growth rate was generally good but the survival rate was the lowest. In the case of bed soil HVP, the lowest value was obtained in almost all experiments such as growth, dry weight, quality index, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic yield, root morphological and total nitrogen content. It was found that bed soil H, which is a commonly used bed soil, grows better than bed soil HVP, but does not grow better than bed soil A and bed soil HA.
The most important factor that directly affects the growth of the seedlings is the bed soil. It was necessary to control the growth environment in this experiment in order to produce better seedlings by fertilization, irrigation, and shading treatments after determining the best bed soil. At the moment, the expansion policy for the container bed soil system is planned, i hope the results of this research will be utilized to produce A. koreana container seedlings and protect this special and endangered Korean species.