Effect of different soil amendments on morphological and physiological traits of one-year-old seedlings of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) and coliseum maple (Acer cappadocicum Gled.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rice husk, rice husk biochar, cow manure and chemical fertilizers on the morphological and physiological characteristics of coliseum maple (Acer cappadocicum Gled.) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) seedlings. A total of 60 pots were considered for nine modifying treatments and nursery soil with three replications in a completely randomized design in Lajim nursery located in Savadkuh county, north of Iran. Results showed that different treatments had significant effects on some morphological characteristics of ash. The highest diameter, height, stem length of this species were observed in 150 g of cow manure treatment and the highest dry leaf weight was observed in 300 g of cow manure treatment. Different treatments had significant effects on the height of first stage, leaf area, volume, cross section and length of roots, leaf dry weight and stem volume of coliseum maple seedlings. The highest height in first stage of this species was observed in the control and the highest root volume was observed in the treatments of 300 and 150 g of cow manure and 2% of rice husk treatments. The highest root cross section, root length, leaf dry weight and stem volume of coliseum maple seedlings were observed in 300 g of cow manure treatment and the highest mean leaf area was observed in 150 g of cow manure treatment. In addition, no significant difference was observed in chlorophyll content and photosynthesis of different treatments. In general, the obtained results show that the use of cow manure compared to chemical fertilizers and biochar has a better function in increasing the growth of Fraxinus excelsior and Acer cappadocicum seedlings during a period of plant growth in the nursery.