| Abstract:[Objective] This study employed 1-year-old seedlings of E. pubescens Maxim as the experimental material and executed a field-based randomized block experiment to investigate the impact of diverse foliar fertilizer applications on the flowering, fruiting, and flavonol glycoside content of E. pubescens Maxim. [Methods] Five foliar fertilizer treatments were designed, comprising 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.06% boric acid, 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate + 0.03% boric acid, 5% amino acid water-soluble fertilizer, and distilled water, applied at pre-flowering, bud stage, and peak flowering stage. The study systematically analyzed the effects of each treatment on the photosynthetic process, flowering and fruiting parameters, and the concentration of effective constituents in E. pubescens Maxim. [Results] Relative to the control group, the T1 treatment exhibited a 7.53% increase in the number of flower branches, respectively, a 28.28% rise in seed yield, and an 80.16% enhancement in flavonol glycoside accumulation. The T2 treatment demonstrated a 11.96% and 41.87% increase in the number and length of flower branches, respectively, compared to the control (CK), accompanied by a 54.20% and 8.05% increase in seed yield and thousand grain weight. Furthermore, leaf components A and B increased by 102.58% and 77.50%, respectively. The T3 treatment exhibited a significant 26.88% increase in flower branches and a 46.59% rise in seed yield. In the T4 treatment, the number of flower branches increased by 25.40%, respectively, with a 65.88% surge in seed yield and a 42.02% elevation in total flavonoid content. [Conclusion] Judicious foliar fertilizer application emerges as an effective strategy to stimulate the flowering and fruiting of E. pubescens Maxim, concomitant with heightened flavonol glycoside content. A 0.06% concentration of boric acid has the optimal impact on promoting fruit setting. Additionally, a combination of 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 5% amino acid water-soluble fertilizer exhibits significant promotion effects on flowering and fruit setting in E. pubescens Maxim and enhances the accumulation of flavonoid glycosides. However, the mixed application of 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 0.03% boric acid promotes flowering and fruit setting but is not conducive to the accumulation of effective components. The outcomes of this research furnish a theoretical foundation for foliar fertilization practices in the cultivation of E. pubescens Maxim seeds and targeted production of medicinal herbs. |
