Effect of bagasse flyash incorporated nursery media on seedling growth of Pungam (Pongamia pinnata Roxb.)

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of bagasse flyash with different combinations of organic manures on soil properties and seedling growth of Pongamia pinnata. One week old seedlings were transplanted following nursery media viz., Red earth + Sand + Farmyard manure (FYM) (2:1:1 ratio) (T1), Red earth sand and flyash (2:1:1 ) (T2) , Red earth, vermicompost and Flyash (2:1:1 ) (T3), Red earth +Flyash + FYM (2:1:1 ratio) (T4), Red earth +Flyash + vermicompost (1:2:1 ratio) (T5) and Red earth +Flyash + vermicompost (2:2:1 ratio) (T6). Poly bags were filled with the respective media and placed under sunlight. Seedlings growth parameters viz., shoot length, root length, collar diameter, and total dry matter production were recorded at 60 days and 75 days after planting. Physico-chemical and biological soil parameters like organic carbon content, available macro-nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), DTPA extractable micro-nutrients (iron, manganese, copper and zinc) of each treatment were analyzed before planting and after harvesting the seedlings. Nutrient uptake (N,P,K and micronutrient /trace metals) by the seedlings at 75 days after planting was also analyzed. Results revealed that all the parameters at the end of experiment, the highest shoot length (31.23cm), root length (17.80 cm), collar diameter (7.60 mm) and total dry matter production (1.96 g) were observed for bagasse flyash (230 g) with vermicompost (230 g) amended with 460g soil. The same treatment resulted in maximum uptake N,P,K and micro-nutrients (iron, manganese, copper and zinc) at all growth stages. From this experiment, it could be concluded that among the different media evaluated for seedling growth of Pungam seedling, 460g soil + 230g bagasse flyash + 230g vermicompost were found to the best in terms of seedling growth and maximum uptake N, P, K and micro-nutrients.