Abstract: In this paper, the effects of applied desulphurization magnesium slag from flue gas to sand on seed germination and seedling growth of [WTBX]Ammopiptanthus mongolicus[WTBZ] were researched using the indoor illuminating incubator. Five different fertilizer rates (i.e. 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 grams of desulphurization magnesium slag per 1 kilogram sand) were designed to observe the effects of applied desulphurization magnesium slag on germination energy, seeding index, germination rate, emergence percentage, emergence fresh or dry weight per plant, total biomass and growth of seedling stems and roots of A. mongolicus. The results show that desulphurization magnesium slag application had the effects on seed germination and seedling growth. Desulphurization magnesium slag restricted significantly the seed germination, seedling emergence and seedling root growth, and the restriction increased with increasing the application rates. Application of desulphurization magnesium slag promoted significantly the seedling fresh or dry weight per plant, total biomass and seedling stem growth, and this effect was increased with increasing the application rate. In the whole process from seed germination to seedling growth, seed germination and seedling emergence were significantly decreased when the application rate ranged from 5 to 15 g/kg compared with the control, but seedling biomass was significantly increased. When the application rate was lower than 5 g/kg, there was no significant effect on seed germination and seedling growth. When the application rate was higher than 15 g/kg, seed germination and seedling emergence were decreased very significantly, while seedling fresh or dry weight per plant, total biomass and seedling stem growth were increased very significantly.

Key words: desulphurization magnesium slag from flue gas, Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, seed germination, seedling, biomass, sandy soil