THE EFFECTS OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON THE EARLY GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn 1

• A. F. Aderounmu

  Department of Forestry Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan Nigeria Department of Forest Production and Products, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria

  Author

• S.O. Olajuyigbe

  Department of Forestry Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan Nigeria Department of Forest Production and Products, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria

  Author

Soil fertility is a major limitation to seedling production, hindering the growth and development of indigenous tree species in the nursery in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and development of Vitellaria paradoxa seedlings were investigated for six months. Using a Completely Randomized Design,six month-old uniformly growing seedlings were potted in topsoil mixed with poultry droppings, cow dung, water hyacinth and N.P.K. 15:15:15 fertilizer at 100 kg ha-1 and 200 kg ha-1 dosage levels, while untreated topsoil served as control. Thetotal plant height(cm), stem collar diameter(mm) and number of leaves were assessed monthly, for six months. The data collected were subjected to descriptive and two-way ANOVA at p≤ 0.05 level of significance.The organic and inorganic fertilizers had significant main and interaction effects on the seedling growth variables measured. The highest mean total height (14.2 ± 0.07 cm), number of leaves ((9.25 ± 0.25)and collar diameter (4.95 ± 0.02 mm) were observed for seedlings treated with 200kg ha-1 N.P.K 15:15:15 fertilizer. The least mean total height (11.95 ± 0.06 cm), number of leaves (6.75 ± 0.25) and collar diameter (4.26 ± 0.07 mm) were observed for untreated seedlings (the control), 100 kg ha-1 poultry manure and water hyacinth, respectively. Increase in dosage levels of organic and inorganic fertilizers improved tree seedling performance. Nutrients supply from N.P.K and organic manure enhanced growth performance of Vitellaria paradoxa seedlings. Thus, they could help improve mass production of the target species in the nursery. However, organic manure which is environmentally friendly and easily accessible would also have longer residual influence on the seedling performance and reduce soil toxicity.

1. A. F. Aderounmu, Department of Forestry Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan Nigeria Department of Forest Production and Products, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria

   Department of Forestry Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan Nigeria Department of Forest Production and Products, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria

2. S.O. Olajuyigbe, Department of Forestry Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan Nigeria Department of Forest Production and Products, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria

   Department of Forestry Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan Nigeria Department of Forest Production and Products, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria

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