Habitat Environment and Cutting, Seed Propagation of Rare Plant Rhododendron micranthum Turcz

Abstract The habitats characteristics of Rhododendron micranthum Turcz. were investigated to compile basic data for conservation and restoration. Natural habitats were located at altitudes of 100-500 m with inclinations of 10-35 o . Rhododendron micranthum population was classified into Pinus densiflora dominant population. In the study sites, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphate, exchangeable potassium, exchangeable sodium, exchangeable calcium, exchangeable magnesium, cation exchange capacity and soil pH were 4.10-8.64%, 0.18-0.46%, 8.69-26.70 mgkg -1 , 0.10-0.23 cmol + kg -1 , 0.06-0.10 cmol + kg -1 , 0.85-4.10 cmol + kg -1 , 0.24-0.64 cmol + kg -1 , 12.76-20.90 cmol + kg -1 , 4.34-5.15. Rooting rate is too low, cutting propagation, breeding methods are not good. Also, this study was investigated seed germination of R. micranthum depends on soaking treatment. R. micranthum was soaked with tap water for four days, the average values of germination day were represented of 70%/1 week.Key Words: Rhododendron micranthum, Seed germination rate, rooting rate, rare plant, propagation