This study evaluated the morphological traits of four Xiang-lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) clonal lines using rhizomes harvested the previous year and replanted for cultivation. Underground traits were compared at the seven-month harvest stage. The results showed that Round-grain 10-2 exhibited the best performance in rhizome diameter, circumference, and fresh weight, followed by Round-grain 9-1-1. In contrast, the long-grain types (Long-grain 5-2 and Long-grain 9-2) demonstrated relatively inferior performance. Overall, round-grain clonal lines exhibited faster growth and superior rhizome development compared to long-grain types, although noticeable variation still existed within the round-grain group. In addition, the production process of healthy shallot (Allium ascalonicum) seedlings was evaluated by comparing the growth performance of tissue-cultured plantlets (G1) and their propagated progeny. During the G1 stage, tissue-cultured bulblets of varying diameters (0.3–0.6 cm) were acclimatized and planted after removal from culture vessels. No significant differences in growth parameters were observed 60 days after planting. At the 90-day harvest, bulblets with an initial diameter of 0.3 cm exhibited slightly lower fresh weight than those measuring 0.6 cm; however, no differences were observed in the number or size of newly formed bulblets. These results indicate that bulblets within the 0.3–0.6 cm diameter range are suitable as production materials. Moreover, using smaller bulblets can shorten the propagation cycle and reduce the risk of physiological aging.

▲Fig.1. Characteristics of lotus roots harvested from four Xianglian tissue culture clones.

▲Fig. 2. Growth performance of tissue-cultured plantlets with different bulb sizes 90 days after transplanting