Standardization of rooting media for selected tree crop seedlings with special reference to plant nutrients

Abstract

A randomized block design (split plot) experiment involving twelve important tree crop seedlings (Ailanthus triphysa, Albiziafalcataria, Albizialebbeck. Casuarinaequisetifolia, Ceiba pentandra, Dalbergia latifolia, Gmelina alborea, Hopea parviflora, Santalum album, Swietenea macrophylla, Tectona grandis and Vateria indica) was conducted in the Instructional Farm, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Kerala Agricultural University, with an objective of standardising the most suitable rooting media for the best growth of above tree seedlings in the nursery for agroforestry planting. In this study altogether twelve different media were tried, considering their relative cheapness, easy availabily and more or less satisfying the desired qualities of an ideal rooting medium. The results showed that the rooting medium containing soil, sand and FYM in the ratio of 1:1:1 was ideal for all the species except for Dalbergia and Vateria. For Dalbergia, the best medium found was soil ½, sand 1/3 and neem cake 1/6 and for Vateria it was soil 1/3, sand 1/3 and saw dust 1/3.