Effect of Growing Materials on Spore Germination, Survival and Growth of Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Keywords:
Asplenium nidus, Growing materials, Peat moss, Spore, SurvivalAbstract
This study aimed to identify the most suitable planting material for spore germination, seedling survival, and growth of Asplenium nidus. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions from January 2022 to December 2023 at the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University, Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand. A completely randomized design (CRD) with five replications was used to compare four planting materials: peat moss, coconut husk, finely crushed brick, and coarse sand. The evaluated parameters included germination percentage, survival percentage, number of leaves, leaf length and width, number of germinated seedlings per gram of spores, number of healthy seedlings, germination index, and leaf area. The results showed that planting materials significantly affected all growth and establishment parameters (p < 0.05). Peat moss produced the highest germination rate (98%) and survival rate (92%), followed by coconut husk and finely crushed brick, which showed relatively high germination and survival rates of 94% and 80%, and 95% and 85%, respectively. Coarse sand produced the lowest overall performance. Peat moss also yielded the highest number of germinated seedlings per gram of spores (310 seedlings), healthy seedlings (291 seedlings), germination index (35.47), and leaf area (142 cm²). At 12 months after planting, ferns grown in peat moss recorded the greatest leaf number (12.51 leaves/pot) and largest leaf size (44.91 × 17.26 cm), with healthy dark-green foliage. In conclusion, peat moss was the most effective planting material for promoting spore germination, seedling establishment, and vegetative growth of A. nidus, with optimal growth observed at 12 months.
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