Initial growth of physic nut as a function of sources and doses of organic fertilizers

Abstract

Organic fertilization provides low cost, supplemental nutrition for plant production. This study aimed to determine the best source and dose of organic fertilizer on the growth of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.), a potential biodiesel producer. Physic nut seedlings were transplanted to 18 dm³ black plastic pots filled with soil mixed with four sources of organic fertilizer (chicken, fish, cattle manure or urban waste compost) at four dose levels (50, 100, 200 or 400 L m-3). Fertilized and control (no fertilization) plants were grown under shadehouse conditions and morphological plant features were assessed at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after transplanting. Doses higher than 100 L m-3 of poultry manure mixed with claysoil should be avoided. The use of other sources such as cattle manure, fish manure and composting may be used and result in increase in height, leaf area, SPAD index up to doses of 200 L m-3 manure mixed in clay soil.