Effects of Some Nursery Practices on the Growth of Endospermum Chinense Benth Seedlings

An investigation was undertaken in Endospermum chinense Benth species to assess the growth of seedlings under some nursery practices. Factorial experiments were conducted to study the effects of pot sizes, potting media and fertilizers on the growth of seedlings. Pot sizes were applied at two levels, i.e. 5.1 em x 11.0 em and 6.3 em x 14.0 em. The forest top-soil and river alluvial soil were tested as potting media. In addition, four levels of commercial fertilizer NPK at 0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% and three levels of organic fertilizer such as 0%, 10% and 20% by weight of pot were used as fertilization. After 24 weeks of treatment, maximum growth, nutrient, and chlorophyll concentrations were recorded in treatments with highest inorganic and organic fertilizers. The inorganic fertilizer gave better seedling morphology and physiology. The use of larger pot size filled with forest top-soil medium also stimulated growth of seedlings as well as nutrient, and chlorophyll concentrations. Seedlings with a lower rate of growth were found to record a higher plant total carbohydrate concentration. Pot size, fertilizer and potting medium significantly influenced the morphology and physiology of E. chinense seedlings in a decreasing order of importance. The factors interact additively to influence growth. The lack of one factor can be compensated by the excess of another. An experiment was conducted to estimate the growth of seedlings under different light intensities: four levels of light regimes, 100%,80%, 50% and 20% were used. The results showed that 80% of light intensity was optimal for growth of seedlings. The N, P and starch concentrations of seedlings were not affected by treatment. The K and chlorophyll concentrations were highest in 20% light intensity, but Ca concentration was highest in 100% light intensity. Four levels of watering regime such as 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% were carried out to study the effects of water deficit on the growth of seedlings. Results suggested that E. chinense seedlings need unrestricted water for best growth in the nursery. A field trial was conducted to assess the effect of nursery cultural practices on the growth and survival of the seedlings when they were out planted in the field. High quality E. chinense seedlings with best morphological and physiolobrical condition can be produced when grown under optimum nursery conditions. Such plants will also perform better when out planted.

PDF FH_2003_12_A.pdf Download (1MB)

Actions (login required)

View Item