Effect of muncipal garbage on the growth and vigour of rose wood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb) seedlings in the nursery
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Date
2004
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Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara
Abstract
The present study to evaluate the effect of potting media containing fresh and decomposed municipal garbage on the growth and vigour of rose wood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb.) seedlings in the nursery was carried out at the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 2002-2004. A total of twelve treatments with and without municipal garbage were tried for raising the seedlings.
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The result of the study revealed that seedlings could not be established when fresh municipal garbage alone was used as potting media. The potting medium containing soil: 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage recorded the maximum height, where as maximum collar diameter was observed when the seedlings were grown in medium containing soil: sand: cowdung in equal proportions. This medium was also found to be superior with regard to shoot fresh and dry weights.
Seedlings grown in media containing soil: sand: fresh municipal garbage in equal proportions recorded more root length, where as with regard to root number, a higher value was recorded by seedlings grown in media containing soil: sand: 2 weeks decomposed municipal garbage. The treatment containing soil: sand: cowdung in equal proportions was found to be the best with regard to root fresh and dry weights. Media with 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage alone and soil: 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage were also found to be promising with regard to these parameters.
Significant response with regard to leaf area was recorded by potting medium containing 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage. Other physiological growth attributes like leaf area ratio, leaf weight ratio, specific leaf area, specific leaf weight and relative growth rate did not follow any systematic pattern. No uniform trend could be observed with regard to chlorophyll content of the seedlings also.
Seedlings grown in potting media containing soil: sand: cowdung recorded maximum content of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in the tissues. Media containing 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage also recorded high content of tissue nitrogen and phosphorous. It was observed that at the end of the study period, percentage of nutrient elements in different potting media slightly increased compared to the initial content. Potting media containing 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage recorded high nitrogen content, while phosphorous and potassium were highest in potting media containing soil: sand: fresh municipal garbage.
In general, with regard to most of the shoot and root growth parameters, biomass and physiological growth attributes, media containing hundred percent 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage and media with soil: 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage in equal proportions were found to be quite comparable to standard media having soil: sand: cowdung. However, considering the cost, ease of availability and as an alternative use, 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage could be recommended for extensive production of rosewood seedlings in the nursery.
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