Germination and early seedling growth of selected avenue tree species on fly ash substratum
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Date
2022-05-31
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Department of Natural Resource Management, OUAT, Bhubaneswar
Abstract
The present investigation entitled “Studies on Germination and Seedling Performance of Some Important Avenue Tree Species on Fly Ash Substratum”was carried out in the department of Natural Resource Management, OUAT, to understand the impact of addition of fly ash (FA) on seed germination as well as growth of some important avenue tree species in their early stages (seedling stage). FA substratum was prepared by mixing FA to potting mixture (sand, soil and FYM in ratio 1:2:1) at concentrations 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% & 100% (w/w). The physicochemical properties of FA substratum viz. colour, texture, pore space, water holding capacity, bulk density, pH, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorous and potash were studied. For germination and growth performance study two avenue plant species namely Delonix regia (Krushna chuda), Adenenthera pavonina (Manda Kaincha) were selected. Observations relating to germination were recorded on daily basis for 30 days. Germination parameters like germination percentage, MDG, peak value, germination capacity, germination index, seedling vigour index were determined for 30 days. It was observed that maximum germination percentage was recorded in treatment T1 (20% FA+PM) for Delonix regia (53.37%) whereas in Adenenthera pavonina it was observed in treatment T2 (50.33%). The seedling vigour index was found maximum in 20% FA mixed PM for both the species. All germination parameters were found lowest in T5 (100% FA). The study on growth performance with different growth parameters such as plant height, collar diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, root length, shoot length, nodulation, biomass, chlorophyll content were recorded at 30 days interval for 90 days. Seedling survival percentage was recorded maximum in treatment T1 (D. regia 91.83% and A. pvonina 90.97 %). Plant morphometrics characters like seedling height, diameter, leaf number, root length, biomass varied in different treatments in a dose dependent manner. Seedling quality index improved significantly over control and found highest in treatment T1 for both the species (D. regia 0.90 and A. pvonina 0.76). It is concluded from the present investigation that potting mixture may be mixed with FA in the range of 20-40% (w/w) to improve physicochemical properties as well as the quality of seedlings. This may open a new avenue for FA management and environmental protection.