To investigate the effects of potash application on the growth and leaf physiological characteristics of Qiongzhuea tumidinoda seedlings,one-year-old seedlings are used to test the seedling growth indicators by setting the four different application levels of potassium fertilizer(75,150,225,and 300 kg/ha)and no fertilization as the control(CK).The results show that:1)As potassium application increases,the height and ground diameter of Q.tumidinoda seedlings initially increases and then decreases.The best growth is observed at 150 kg/ha,with plant height and ground diameter increasing by 12.4%and 10.3%,respectively,compared to CK;2)When the potash application is at 150 kg/ha,chlorophyll a and b and carotenoid contents are significantly higher than CK by 23.4%,26.2%,and 11.8%,respectively.At 75 and 225 kg/ha,chlorophyll content increases slightly but not significantly;at 300 kg/ha,it decreases compared to CK;and 3)The soluble sugar content is the highest when the potash application is at 225 kg/ha,increasing by 43.6%compared to CK,and the starch content increases with higher potassium application levels.The soluble protein content is the highest at 150 kg/ha,increasing by 6.2%compared to CK.Overall,150 kg/ha is the optimal potassium application for Q.tumidinoda seedling,while higher application levels(225 or 300 kg/ha)have negative effects on seedling growth.