Effect of Organic Soil Amendments on Growth and Efficiency of Redbud (Cercis griffithii) Seedlings in Nurseries

Redbud (Cercis griffithii) is an Iranian native species that plays a crucial role in protecting soil and water in Zagros forestsareas. Although many reforestation projects of this species in this area were unsuccessful, the restoration of redbud must continue using new applied studies to help conserve this precious resource. This can be achieved through increasing the quality and quantity of seedling production in nurseries. This study thus aimed to evaluate the effects of various organic amendments on growth and efficiency of redbud seedlings in a nursery. Four treatments viz.1) control (standard nursery mix) (C) 2) control: cattle manure (5:1) (CCM), 3) control: leaf composts (5:1) (CLC) and 4) control: cattle manure -leaf composts (5:1:1) (CCML)were applied for the present study. After one year, all growth indices were significantly increased by organic soil treatments compared to the standard nursery mix. Thegrowth characteristics such as height, root dry weight, length of the longest root, stem length to diameter ratio and relative height growth of redbud seedlings were associated with an organic soil treatment. These positive results on growth indices were explained by the reduction in EC and pH of planting bed induced by the organic soil amendments.