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2023 Vol. 38, No. 1

2023, 38(1): 1-2.
Abstract:
Animal Science
Relationship between InDel Polymorphism of FN1 Gene and Growth Traits of Goats
WU Xianfeng, LIU Yuan, WANG Yinggang, ZHANG Fu, LI Wenyang
2023, 38(1): 1-6. doi: 10.19303/j.issn.1008-0384.2023.01.001
Abstract:
  Objective   Detection of fibronectin 1 (FN1) gene in DNA pool and association of the gene InDel polymorphism with bone differentiation, formation, and cell migration of goats were studied to locate the molecular marker and to confirm target for breeding and trait improvement.   Method   Genetic polymorphisms of the FN1 gene in Fuqing, Nubian, and Jianyang Daer goats were detected in the DNA pool with PCR-RFLP. Relationship between the genotypes and meat production traits of the goats were analyzed.   Result  Among the 7 predicted sites in all 3 goat species, only Del66652 locus exhibited a polymorphism belonging to the II and ID genotypes with a frequency not in HWE (P>0.05) and less than 0.25 on the polymorphism information content. The cannon circumference of the ID genotype was significantly greater than that of the II genotype (P<0.05), while the chest circumference index of the ID genotype significantly greater than that of the II genotype (P<0.01) in the Nubian goats. In the Jianyang Daer goats, the chest circumference and the cannon circumference indices of the ID genotype were significantly greater than those of the II genotype (P<0.05).   Conclusion  Del66652 locus significantly correlated with the growth traits of Nubian and Jianyang Daer goats with the ID being the dominant genotype. The locus closely associated with the growth traits of the goats and was considered a candidate molecular marker to be use in breeding programs.
Establishment of a Triple-primer Multiplex PCR Assay for Discriminative Detection of Duck and Goose Circoviruses
WANG Mengge, HUANG Yu, FU Qiuling, CHENG Longfei, WAN Chunhe, LIU Rongchang, CHEN Hongmei, JIANG Nansong, LIANG Qizhang, SHI Shaohua, LIN Jiansheng, FU Guanghua
2023, 38(1): 7-11. doi: 10.19303/j.issn.1008-0384.2023.01.002
Abstract:
  Objective  A PCR assay was established for discriminative detection of duck circovirus (DuCV) and goose circovirus (GoCV).   Methods   Three primers designed according to the genome sequences of DuCV and GoCV deposited in GenBank database were used for the development of a Triple-primer Multiplex PCR (tpm-PCR).   Results   The established assay could specifically identify DuCV and GoCV by the amplified fragments within the detection limits of 110 pg·μL−1 and 80 pg·μL−1, respectively. The methodology was verified with the test results by PCR for the individual virus in clinical cases.   Conclusion  The tpm-PCR assay was specific and sensitive as a discriminative detection method between DuCV and GoCV. It facilitated the clinical diagnosis and epidemiological monitoring on the circoviral cases in waterfowls.
Horticultural Science
SRAP and SCoT Markers-based Analysis on Genetic Diversity of Sweet Cherry Cultivars
LI Peihua, WANG Jin, LIANG Dong, LV Xiulan, ZHOU Guihong, LI Yuanmei
2023, 38(1): 12-22. doi: 10.19303/j.issn.1008-0384.2023.01.003
Abstract:
  Objective  Genetic relationship of 40 sweet cherry cultivars were analyzed.   Methods  SRAP and SCoT molecular markers were used to determine the genetic diversity of sweet cherry varieties.  Results  Six pairs of SRAP primers and 7 pairs of SCoT primers with distinct bands and polymorphism were selected as the markers to obtain 67 and 69 amplified bands representing 90.54% and 93.24% of polymorphism, respectively, from the 40 cultivars. Based either on SRAP with a similarity coefficient of about 0.79 or on SCoT with a similarity coefficient of about 0.77, the cultivars could be divided into 6 groups. Thus, the sweet cherry cultivars collected from different regions could have gone through numerous genetic exchanges becoming low in variation. Therefore, not surprisingly, most of the yellow varieties were grouped into one single category.  Conclusion   The SRAP and SCoT markers successfully helped examine the genetic diversity of 40 sweet cherry cultivars collected from various regions. The result obtained would facilitate further studies in the germplasm utilization and breeding of sweet cherries.
Genetic Variations on Traits of F1 Litchi chinensis Leaves and Branches
CAI Rupeng, ZHANG Lei, LI Fang, JIANG Chengdong, LI Huanling, WANG Jiabao
2023, 38(1): 23-30. doi: 10.19303/j.issn.1008-0384.2023.01.004
Abstract:
  Objective   The segregation and genetic variations on the traits of branches and leaves of F1 litchi hybrid population were examined for parent selection in cross breeding. [Methods] Ten branch and leaf characteristics, such as length of compound leaf and areas of petiole and leaves, of 258 F1 hybrids of Litchi chinensis Sonn. between Sanyuehong (♀) and Ziniangxi (♂) were examined. The amplitude, distribution frequency, coefficient of variation, and general heritability of the traits were determined and classified.   Results   The coefficients of variation on the 10 quantified phenotypic characteristics ranged from 9.23% to 15.67% with an average of 12.37%. Among the traits, leaf area had the highest coefficient at 15.67% followed by length of compound leaf at 13.93%, and the lowest, leaf length at 9.23%. All measured indices were normally distributed. The average spindle length, leaf length, leaf width, fresh weight, dry weight, leaf area, and specific leaf weight of compound leaves were higher than those of the parents, while the average petiole length, leaf shape index, and branch bark rate lower than those of the parents. It indicated that the gene recombination could, to some degree, give a non-additive effect leading to the emergence of F1 hybrids with traits surpassed those of the parents. The averaged general heritability on all traits was 0.45, with petiole length being the greatest at 0.87 and leaf shape index at 0.75. The greatest extremely high parentage rate at 99.22% was observed on leaf width, while the lowest of low parentage rate on petiole length that accounted for 86.82% of the F1 population.  Conclusion   The branch and leaf traits of litchi F1 hybrids varied widely. Some of the characteristics were easily affected by the environment.
Morphological Characteristics of Pollens of Varieties of Luffa
CHEN Chaowen, ZHU Haisheng, LING Yongsheng, ZHENG Yachao, FANG Guihua, LI Yang, WANG Zhiqing, LIN Jinxiu, ZHENG Kailing
2023, 38(1): 31-38. doi: 10.19303/j.issn.1008-0384.2023.01.005
Abstract:
  Objective   Pollens morphology of a variety of Luffa cylindrica was characterized for taxonomic classification of the plants.   Methods   The palynological characteristics of 20 varieties of luffa were examined under a scanning electron microscope. The observation was analyzed for classification on the plant species using principal component analysis and UPGMA clustering method.   Result   Belonging to the N3P4C5 type, the pollens were similarly prolate in shape—oblong equatorially with a diameter ranging from 57.17 μm to 61.04 μm and trilobate-circular latitudinally with an axis ranging between 107.03 μm and 112.74 μm. The pollen size varied from 6 164.15 μm2 to 6 814.02 μm2. There were 3 separate apertures that almost reached both ends of a pollen. The exine was reticulated with a spinule density of 0.129-0.220 n·μm−2, which differed significantly among the varieties. The major palynological traits for taxonomic differentiation included polar axis length, equatorial diameter, size, shape, and exine appearance of the pollens. On a Euclidean distance of 23 on 8 traits, the 20 luffa varieties were clustered into 3 categories.   Conclusion   Differences on polar axis length, equatorial diameter, shape, size, and spinule density of pollens provided the basis to classify the genetic relationship of 20 different species of luffa.
Sprouting of Pinus yunnanensis Seedlings in Response to N/P Application
WANG Xue, WANG Mengting, YANG Zhenxin, LUO Xi, CHEN Lin, TANG Junrong, CHEN Shi, CAI Nianhui, XU Yulan, WANG Dexin
2023, 38(1): 39-46. doi: 10.19303/j.issn.1008-0384.2023.01.006
Abstract:
  Objective  Effect of N and P fertilization on the sprouting of Pinus yunnanensis seedlings was studied.   Methods   One-year-old P. yunnanensis seedlings after coppicing were used in a two-factors-three-levels 3×3 regression experimentation to optimize the fertilization.   Results  The number of sprouts emerged from the seedlings after coppicing followed the logistic growth pattern independent of N/P application. However, the fertilization promoted the sprouting, altered the time and peak of second sprouting, and increased the sprout count more than when N or P was applied alone. The tillers responded to the N/P application in a binary quadratic regression function to reach the highest count with the input of 0.29 g of N and 1.02 g of P per plant. The combined N/P application enhanced the growth of both potential and effective sprouts on the seedlings, especially, on the effective sprouts, the best result was to use N at 0.4 g and P at 0.8 g·plant−1. On the other hand, application of N or P alone exerted a greater effect than the combined one on the potential sprouts.  Conclusion  Combined N/P fertilization was more conducive to the increase of the number of sprouts on the seedlings than N or P fertilizer was applied alone. Although high P fertilization benefitted the growth of potential sprouts, when combined with N the application at a medium concentration encouraged the growth of effective sprouts.
Plant Protection
Process Optimization and Antimicrobial Effect of Cytobacillus kochii H Protease
WANG Xuewen, YU Cun, PAN Hongxiang
2023, 38(1): 47-57. doi: 10.19303/j.issn.1008-0384.2023.01.007
Abstract:
  Objective  Taxonomy of antimicrobial protease-producing Cytobacillus kochii H was studied for the development of a natural disease control agent on plants.   Method   Taxonomy of C. kochii H was determined by physiological, biochemical, electron microscopy scanning, and 16sRNA sequencing methods. A process of producing the antimicrobial protease secreted by the bacterium was optimized in single-factor and orthogonal experiments. The efficacy of the culture broth on 4 selected pathogenic fungi was applied in an in vitro test as the evaluation criterium.   Result   The optimized C. kochii H protease-producing process was conducted in a 250 mL triangular flask using 50 mL of pH 8.0 medium, which contained 20.0 g·L−1 of glucose, 8.0 g·L−1 of peptone, 1.0 g·L−1 of MgSO4, and 0.1g·L−1 of CaSO4-2H2O, inoculated with 2.5 mL of 108 CFU·mL−1 C. kochii H fermentation liquid. After 24 h of incubation, the protease activity reached 402.2 U·mL−1, which was 13.92 times greater than it was prior to the optimization. The antimicrobial rates of the broth against Fusarium oxysporum and Phytophthora capsici were 67.32% and 44.87%, respectively, i.e., 9.15% and 12.82%, respectively, increases over those before the optimization.   Conclusion  The antimicrobial protease-producing C. kochii H was identified taxonomically. The culture process of the enzyme production was optimized to deliver significant in vitro inhibition rates on F. oxysporum and P. capsici.
Isolation, Identification, and Antibacterial Activity of Endophytic Fungi from Paris qiliangiana
SUN Huiru, LI Yu, FANG Xinyue, ZHAO Lingyun, LI Wei, LUO Kai, HE Meijun
2023, 38(1): 58-67. doi: 10.19303/j.issn.1008-0384.2023.01.008
Abstract:
  Objective   Endophytes from the medicinal Paris qiliangiana plants were isolated to identify effective antipathogenic metabolites secreted.The in vitro activity of their secondary metabolites might lead to the development of new antibiotics for disease control on plants.   Method   Endophytic fungi of P. qiliangiana plants were isolated in a disc diffusion method and identified by ITS gene sequencing. The secondary metabolites from each isolate were obtained by filter paper separation and tested for antibacterial activity against 12 pathogens. Active components were analyzed by GC-MS.  Results   Setophoma caverna CLZ1 and Psilocybe sp. CLZ2 were the two functional endophytic fungi identified. The former showed a broad spectrum against the tested gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria including Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 13883, Micrococcus luteus ATCC 4698, Bacillus thuringiensis ATCC 10792, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300. Their intermediate degree of bacteriostatic activities on the pathogens had the MICs ranging from 0.78 to 3.13 mg·mL−1. The latter exhibited a similar degree of inhibition against S. aureus at an MIC of 3.13 mg·mL−1. The GC–MS analysis identified 36 chemicals in the S. caverna CLZ1 culture filtrate that included pyridine, nicotinamide, dibutyl phthalate, 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)-, and methyl ester methyl stearate. In the Psilocybe sp. CLZ2 filtrate, 44 compounds, including antibiotic pyridine and phenylethanols, were found.   Conclusion   The endophytic fungi, S. caverna CLZ1 and Psilocybe sp. CLZ2, isolated from the roots of the new variety of P. qiliangiana displayed significant antibacterial property.
Growth, Yield, and Quality of Pseudostellaria heterophylla Affected by Different Viruses Infecting Seed Roots
WANG Ding, ZHENG Boqin, ZHANG Yu, ZENG Lingfeng, WANG Zhenhua, YE Zuyun
2023, 38(1): 68-74. doi: 10.19303/j.issn.1008-0384.2023.01.009
Abstract:
  Objective   Effects on the photosynthesis, tuber yield, and tuber quality of Pseudostellaria heterophylla plants induced by infecting viruses were examined.   Methods  Identified by RT-PCR, virus-free P. heterophylla Zhenshen 2 plants and those infected by turnip mosaic virus (TMV) and/or broad bean wilt virus (BBWV) were propagated in the field in a random block experiment. Leaf photosynthesis as well as yield and quality of the medicinal roots of the plants were measured.   Results  The total chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and height of the plants infected by both TMV and BBWV were 24%, 33%, and 26%, respectively, and the tuber yield, water-soluble extracts, and polysaccharides on a per unit area basis 77.5%, 76.2%, and 87.3%, respectively, lower than those of the virus-free counterparts. But no significant effects on any of those monitored properties were detected in the plants infected by BBWV alone.   Conclusion   Unlike BBWV, TMV infection on P. heterophylla significantly reduced the photosynthesis, tuber yield, and tuber quality of the plants. Thus, it was imperative to avoid TMV contamination in handling P. heterophylla seedlings.
Resources and Environmental Science
Cellulose Enzymatic Activity of Rhizopus oryzae and Degrading Efficiency on Agricultural Waste
WANG Weiying, KE Yexin, LI Honghao, XIAO Shun, WANG Zonghua
2023, 38(1): 75-80. doi: 10.19303/j.issn.1008-0384.2023.01.010
Abstract:
  Objective   Activity and efficiency of agriculture waste-degrading capability of Rhizopus oryzae C1 were investigated.   Method  R. oryzae C1 isolated from mold-infected corn cobs was cultured in a liquid medium to measure the activities of carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase), filter paper enzyme (FPase), and microcrystalline cellulase (Avicelase). Subsequently, the fermentation broth was introduced onto vegetable leaves to estimate the decomposition effect of R. oryzae C1.   Result  The greatest enzymatic activity of CMCase was detected in R. oryzae C1 at 35.33 U·mL−1 followed by those of Avicelase and FPase. The isolated R. oryzae C1 displayed a significant degradation effect on the vegetable farm waste.Within 6 d after introduction of the fermentation broth on vegetable leaves, 47% of the starting waste material was liquified. In contrast, no decomposition appeared on control.   Conclusion  R. oryzae C1 had shown to be a fiber-degrading fungus with a high CMCase activity and a significant decomposition efficiency on farm discards. The bacterial fermentation broth demonstrated a rapid and high rate in decomposing vegetable leaves. It was conceivably that R. oryzae C1 or its derivatives be developed to degrade field waste materials and vastly curtail pollution and improve ecology of a farming environment.
Cadmium Decontamination of Polluted Yellow-brown Dryland Soil by Passivator
YUAN Changquan, ZHOU Zheng, GONG Sitong, FU Tianling, HE Tengbing
2023, 38(1): 81-89. doi: 10.19303/j.issn.1008-0384.2023.01.011
Abstract:
  Objective  Passivator were applied on cadmium-contaminated yellow-brown dryland soil to determine the antipollution efficiency.   Method  In an indoor culture experiment, a typical Cd-contaminated soil collected from a strictly controlled yellow-brown dryland in Guizhou was treated with cow manure (NF), corn biochar (SWT), lime (SH), apatite (LHS), bentonite (PRT), calcite (FJS), sepiolite (HPS), Bacillus megaterium (JDYB), or B. glialis (JZYB) as the deactivation agents. After 70 d of the treatments, the soils were tested for pH, organic matters, alkaline hydrolysable nitrogen, effective variation characteristics of phosphorus and available potassium, as well as total and available Cd.   Result  (1) The various agents raised the soil pH by 0.03–0.88 with the greatest 14.94% increase induced by SH. And all of them, aside from SH, PRT, FJS, and HPS, significantly raised the organic matter content with the greatest increase of 31% over control by NF. NF also exerted the most increases on the available nutrients, such as 25.16% on alkaline-hydrolysable nitrogen , 31.89% on available phosphorus and 65.11% on available potassium. (2) FJS escalated the Cd in soil, but all other deactivation agents reduced the content by 0.1–0.26 mg·kg−1, with LHS and HPS rendering the largest reduction. (3) Compared to the control, SH reduced the available Cd most by 30.56%. The efficacies of the tested agents ranked SH (36%)>LHS (35%)>SWT (28%)>NF (26%)>FJS (23%)>PRT (22%)>JDYB (20%)>HPS (18%)>JZYB (14%).   Conclusion   Among the deactivation agents studied, NF exhibited the greatest improvement on the nutrient indices of the yellow-brown dryland soil and SH on Cd mitigation.
Fertilization for Cultivating Bambusa tuldoides on Coastal Sandy Land
WU Jun, HE Tianyou, CHEN Lingyan, JIANG Denghui, SHI Chengkun, RONG Jundong, ZHENG Yushan, CHEN Liguang
2023, 38(1): 90-98. doi: 10.19303/j.issn.1008-0384.2023.01.012
Abstract:
  Objective  Growth promotion and adaptability enhancement of Bambusa tuldoides on coastal sandy land in Fujian by application of biochar and nitrogen fertilizer were evaluated.   Method  Four-year-oldB. tuldoides plants obtained from the Chishan Mountain Farm were used in a 3 factors 3 levels orthogonal experimentation with variables that included applying biochar of different types (A), biochar in different amounts (B), and nitrogen fertilization (C). Calorific value of leaves (AFCV), cost of unit area of biomass (CCarea), and adaptability of the plants were the criteria for economic evaluation and fertilization selection.   Result   The combined use of biochar and nitrogen fertilizer in cultivating B. tuldoides significantly elevated the carbon, nitrogen, AFCV, cost, and yield of the tree leaves. Treatment No. 5, which applied wheat straw biochar at 400g·plant−1 along with a nitrogen fertilizer at 900g·plant−1, rosed the carbon content in leaves by 28.83%, the number of bamboo shoots by 106.38%, and the CCarea by 50.07%, while lowered the ash content (AC) by 67.63%, over control. In addition, it achieved the highest AFCV among all treatments. An extremely significant correlation was found between the biomass cost and AFCV or carbon content (p<0.01), whereas a significant negative correlation between that and nitrogen or AC (p<0.05). Nitrogen fertilization was the primary factor affecting the cost of B. tuldoides biomass.   Conclusion  Treatment No. 5, which combined the applications of 400g of wheat biochar and 900g of nitrogen fertilizer per plant, significantly enhanced the leaf growth, biomass production, and plant adaptability of B. tuldoides. It was considered the choice fertilization for building the ecologically beneficial forest on the coastal sandy land in the province.
Effects of Quicklime Application on Chemical Properties and Microbial Community of Highly Acidic Pomelo Orchard Soil
CHEN Hongmei, QIAN Xiaojie, ZHAO Lin, CHEN Xiaoling, LI Qinghua, HUANG Shuangyong, WANG Fei, YI Zhigang
2023, 38(1): 99-108. doi: 10.19303/j.issn.1008-0384.2023.01.013
Abstract:
  Objective  Effects of quicklime application on the chemical properties and microbial community of highly acidic pomelo orchard soil were analyzed to improve land management.   Method   In a pot experiment, quicklime were added to the highly acidic pomelo orchard soil in a dosage of 0 g·kg−1 (T1 as control), 1.2 g·kg−1 (T2), or 2.4 g·kg−1 (T3). After 90 d, chemical analysis and high-throughput sequencing were conducted to determine the acidity and carbon and nitrogen contents as well as the microbial diversity and structure in the soil. The collected data were used to statistically analyze correlation among them.   Result  The quicklime applications raised the pomelo orchard soil pH by 0.91–1.70, decreased the content of exchangeable aluminum by 60.00%–99.17% and that of ammonium nitrogen by 27.74%–33.84%, while increased the contents of total carbon by 10.27%–39.29%, nitrogen by 12.84%–34.86%, and nitrate nitrogen by 3.45%–42.70% over control. With increasing quicklime dosage, the soil bacteria Chao1, ACE, and Shannon indices significantly increased in the ranges of 47.68%–74.15%, 46.40%–73.70%, and 9.53%–14.95%, respectively. The dominant bacteria phyla in the soils under all 3 treatments were Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria with a relative abundance greater than 20%. Acidothermus was the dominant genus with higher relative abundance at lower pHs. Overall, the relative abundance of Chloroflexi, Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonas, and Micromonospora increased with the amount of quicklime applied. The redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that soil chemistry explained 69.32% of the changes in the microbial community and that pH was the most important affecting factor.   Conclusion  Addition of quicklime to a highly acidic pomelo orchard soil raised the pH and the contents of carbon, nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen, reduced the exchangeable aluminum, and improved the diversity and richness of microbial community in the soil. It is recommended that the amount of quicklime in the highly acidic soil of the pomelo orchard is 2.4 g·kg−1.
Effects of Tobacco Stalk Biochar- and Bamboo Biochar-based Fertilizers on Carbon, Nitrogen, and Microbes in Soil of Tobacco Field
WU Fengying, TONG Chenxiao, ZHANG Weiting, LIU Dongming, HE Zhengxuan, MAO Yanling
2023, 38(1): 109-115. doi: 10.19303/j.issn.1008-0384.2023.01.014
Abstract:
  Objective   Effects of applying tobacco stalk biochar- or bamboo biochar-based fertilizer on the carbon, nitrogen, and microorganisms in soil of tobacco-growing fields were compared.   Method  In a field experimentation, treatments using no fertilizer as control (CK), a fertilizer designed for tobacco farming (TF), a tobacco stalk biochar-based fertilizer (TBF), or a bamboo biochar-based fertilizer (BBF) were conducted. pH, carbon, nitrogen, enzyme activity, and microbial community of the soil samples were monitored.   Result   Compared to TF, either TBF or BBF raised by more than 0.5 on soil pH and on microbial biomass carbon by more than 30%; on soluble organic carbon, TBF did by 21.4% and BBF by 30.7%; on oxidizable organic carbon, TBF did by 32.4% and BBF by 17.9% (p<0.05); on soluble organic nitrogen, TBF did by 50.7% and BBF by 37.7%; on particulate organic nitrogen, TBF did by 28.0% and BBF by 12.7%; and on invertase activity, TBF did by 9.4% and BBF by 3.6%. The Chao1 index of the microbial community in the TBF-treated soil was significantly higher than that of TF-treated counterpart by 5.4% and that of BBF-treated soil by 3.2%. However, there were no significant differences on the observed species or Shannon index of the microbial communities in soils under different treatments. Both TBF and BBF significantly affected the structure of the microbial community in the soil. Notably, the Proteobacteria population decreased by 5.0% under TBF treatment and by 3.4% under BBF treatment in comparison to CK. Even when TF was applied, BBF still managed to generate 18.3% greater abundance on Firmicutes, while TBF 64.8% on Curvularia, in the soil.   Conclusion  Either TBF or BBF treatment could increase the content of carbon, nitrogen, enzyme activity, and microbial abundance in the tobacco field soil. It helped optimize the structure of the microbial community as well. However, TBF seemed to benefit the improvements more than BBF did.
Evaluation of Sargassum horneri Liquid Fertilizer for Vegetable Seed Germination and Seedling Growth
ZHOU Mingyang, FU Yang, CHENG Liwen, ZENG Meiduan, ZENG Qingsong, ZHENG Yi
2023, 38(1): 116-126. doi: 10.19303/j.issn.1008-0384.2023.01.015
Abstract:
  Objective  Effects of the liquid fertilizer made from Sargassum horneri for vegetable seed germination and seedling growth were evaluated.   Methods  The liquid fertilizers prepared by either enzymatic digestion or fermentation of S. horneri, a low-quality seaweed commonly found in the coastal areas, in a gradient of concentrations were applied on bok choy (Brassica chinensis), cucumber, and tomato to determine the fertilization effects on the vegetable seed germination and subsequent seedling growth in a pot experiment. Data collected were statistically analyzed by the partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA).   Results   (1) The 200x and 600x liquid fertilizer dilutions delivered the best effects on the germination of bok choy seeds with a significantly increased germination index by 11.8% over that of blank control and by 1.9% and 1.3% over those of two positive controls. On the germination of cucumber seeds, the 200x dilution had the best effect with a significantly higher index than that of blank control by 33.0% and 21.0% and by 6.7% over those of two positive controls. For the germination of tomato seeds, the 1,000x dilution performed best with a significantly increased index over that of blank control by 13.6% and by 14.4% and 19.3% over those of the two positive controls. (2) The growth indicators of the potted seedlings were significantly correlated. The effects of the liquid fertilizer on the growth of 3 vegetable categories varied, as shown by the principal component analysis (PCA). According to the PLSDA models, the fermented liquid fertilizer at 400x dilution was superior in promoting the growth of bok choy seedlings with all indices significantly higher than those of the positive control, especially, a 144% increase on fresh root weight. And at 600x dilution, the fermented liquid fertilizer had all indices on the tomato seedlings significantly higher than those of control and the highest dry plant weight that was 31% heavier than that of the positive control. In contrast, the enzymatically digested liquid fertilizer at 800x dilution was best for the growth of cucumber seedlings with significantly higher indices on all aspects than the positive control and 28% longer roots than the positive control.   Conclusion  TheS. horneri liquid fertilizers prepared by either fermentation or enzymatic digestion significantly promoted the seed germination and seedling growth of bok choy, cucumber, and tomato in a pot experiment. The fermented fertilizer was more effective than the enzyme-digested counterpart.