This study aims to investigate the effects of growth regulators and medium on cuttage adventitious root occurrence of Alniphyllum fortunei, and to provide theoretical for A. fortunei propagation by cutting.

Using lignified branches of 2-year-old A. fortunei as the cuttings, an orthogonal experimental design with four factors and three levels was employed to investigate the effects of growth regulator type, concentration, treatment duration, and medium composition on adventitious root formation. Combined with anatomical observations, a total of twelve cuttings growth indices were measured and statistically analyzed to clarify the regulatory effects of each factor on cutting rooting and seedling growth.

The soluble sugar content, PPO, and IAAO in the A. fortunei growth regulator treatment group were higher than those in the control group during both the adventitious root formation stage and the adventitious root growth stage. The average root length, average root diameter, root volume, fine root specific root length and fine root specific root area of NAA treatment group were significantly higher than those of other treatments; regulator type × concentration, regulator type × treatment time mean analysis showed that the rooting effect of high concentration (1 500 mg·L^-1) and low treatment time (10 min) of NAA treatment was better. Four principal components were extracted by principal component analysis, which were the comprehensive growth status of aboveground and underground parts, root coarseness index, root length index, and comprehensive growth status of root system. The highest comprehensive score was T13, that is, 75% vermiculite+25% perlite was selected as the matrix, and 1 500 mg·L^-1 IAA was used for 10 min. the rooting rate was 71.87%, and the rooting index was 147.19.

The root system growth of A. fortunei cuttings belongs to the callus rooting type, with adventitious roots emerging around 56 days. Through growth regulator treatment, the dynamic changes in soluble sugar content and oxidase activity (PPO、POD、IAAO) in A. fortunei cuttings can be accelerated, thereby promoting rooting. Cuttings of Alniphyllum fortunei exhibited optimal growth under the T13 treatment, offering a reference for large-scale clonal propagation.

To study the effects of container size, matrix ratio, slow-release fertilizer dosage and placement density on the growth quality of container seedlings of T. sinensis, with the aim of optimizing seedling raising technology, improving seedling quality, and fulfiling the requirements for large-scale planting and industrialization.

In this study, a factorial experimental design was established to include six matrix ratios, three slow-release fertilizer dosages, and three container sizes, resulting in 27 treatment combinations. A comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the growth effects of T. sinensis container seedlings was conducted under different treatments. The effect of different seedling cultivation combinations were comprehensively evaluated using the membership function method. Three kinds of placement densities were set up to analyze the growth difference of container seedlings with different densities.

The impact of container specifications on the base diameter and height-to-diameter ratio of T. sinensis container seedlings was significant (P<0.05) and highly significant (P<0.01), respectively. The matrix ratio and controlled-release fertilizer dosage had a highly significant effect (P<0.01) on both seedling height and base diameter of T. sinensis. Among the interaction of two factors, the combination of matrix ratio × container size, matrix ratio × slow-release fertilizer dosage, and container size × slow-release fertilizer dosage all had highly significant effects on the height of T. sinensis container seedlings (P<0.01). The three-factor interaction of container size × matrix ratio × slow-release fertilizer also significantly affected the height, ground diameter and height-to-diameter ratio of T. sinensis container seedlings (P<0.01). The influence of the three factors on the growth of T. sinensis seedlings was ranked as follows: slow-release fertilizer dosage > container size > matrix ratio. Comprehensive evaluation using the membership function method revealed that the combination of matrix ratio matrix ratio, matrix ratio A6 [V(coconut bran): V(peat): V(soil) = 1: 1: 0] with slow release fertilizer B3 (3 kg/m³) and container size C3 (12.5 cm × 16.0 cm) was better. The A6B3C3 combination resulted in a seedling height, ground diameter and height-to-diameter ratio of 115.73 cm, 12.82 mm and 93.52, respectively, while the A5B3C3 combination resulted in the values of 126.17 cm, 12.20 mm and 107.57, respectively. The planting density of T. sinensis container seedlings is 100/m², and the growth rate is the best.

The matrix ratio, slow-release fertilizer dosage and container size interact on the growth of T. sinensis container seedlings. The A6B3C3 and A5B3C3 combinations with a seedling density of 100/m² can use in container seedling production of T. sinensis, providing a scientific basis for improving the quality of T. sinensis seedlings and optimizing seedling technology.