Effects of Water Levels and Soil Nutrients on the Growth of Iris laevigata Seedlings

Abstract

Iris laevigata is geographically restricted and legally protected as a 2nd-grade endangered plant species in Korea. In this study, a mesocosm study was conducted to examine the effects of environmental factors such as water levels and soil nutrient conditions on the growth and survival of I. laevigata seedlings. Complete submergence lowered the total number of leaves, biomass and survival rate. A rise in soil nutrients increased overall seedling growth and increased tiller numbers via the promotion of asexual reproduction. Also, we found that the lowest measured values of seedlings are associated with the negative interaction of low-soil nutrients and high-water level. I. laevigata seedlings, however, are distributed in low-nutrient habitats such as floating mat, even though they do not grow well under these conditions. This study suggests that I. laevigata does not prefer low nutrient condition but choose another benefit such as low competition. Also, the water level must be lower than the seedling height for effective growth and management I. laevigata.