An Asian Journal of Soil Science

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Growth, Dry Matter Production of Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) Seedlings and Soil Physicochemical Properties as Affected by Organic and Inorganic Nutrient Sources


Affiliations
1 Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


A lath house trial involving four doses of inorganic N and P and six types of organic potting materials was undertaken in the Jimma Agricultural Research Centre in the year 2011 to determine the effect of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on the soil physico-chemical properties, growth and dry matter production of avocado seedlings. Four levels of inorganic N and P (N0P0, N150P200,N300P400 and N450P600mg/pot) as the first factor and five organic materials, FYM (farmyard manure), FD (farmyard manure mixed with decomposed coffee husk), DCH (decomposed coffee husk), UCH (un decomposed coffee husk) and UF (un decomposed coffee husk mixed with farmyard manure), including TS (Top soil) as the second factor were evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Avocado shoot (plant height, stem girth, number of leaves and leaf area) and ischolar_main growths (ischolar_main girth, primary ischolar_main length and lateral ischolar_main length) were significantly (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) affected by the independent effect of organic and inorganic nutrient sources. The lowest and highest shoot growths were recorded at N0P0 and N300P400of fertilizer application, respectively. Most vigorous shoot growths were recorded from seedlings grown in TS:DCH (2:1) followed by (TS:FYM (2:1). Media prepared from TS: UCH (2:1) had the least avocado shoot and ischolar_main growths. Seedlings grown on decomposed organic materials produced higher amount of ischolar_main growth in the order: TS : FYM (2:1)>TS:FD (2:1)>TS:DCH (2:1). Media prepared from TS:UCH(2:1)+N0P0 and TS:DCH (2:1)+N450P600 resulted significantly the lowest and the highest shoot dry mass, respectively. TS : FYM (2:1)+N300P400produced the highest total dry matter followed by TS:DCH (2:1)+N450P600. The lowest total dry matter, on the other hand, was obtained from TS:UCH (2:1) + N0P0. Decomposed organic materials incorporated into the growing media had significantly improved the water holding capacity of the media at both the permanent and field capacity. The decomposed organic materials, in particular, had a positive influence on most chemical properties considered during the study (Total N, available P, Organic carbon, pH, CEC and EC).With the increase in the rate of application of inorganic NP fertilizers, the pH and EC of the growing media had accordingly decreased; Total N and available P, on the other hand, had improved. Apart from independent effects, the electrical conductivity of the growing media was also significantly affected by the interaction of organic and inorganic source of fertilizers. In conclusion, most vigorous avocado seedlings under lath house condition was obtained by amelioration of the growth media using TS : FYM(2:1) +N300P400 followed by TS: DCH (2:1) + N450P600.

Keywords

Growth, Dry Matter, Inorganic Fertilizer, Organic Materials, Seedlings, Shoot, Root Growths, Physical, Chemical Properties.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Abebe, Y., Diriba, B. and Alemayehu, A. (2002).Effect of pot size and potting mixture on growth performance of Calliandra calothyrsus seedlings at Bako tree nursery. Forests and Environment. Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Conference of Forestry Society of Ethiopia, pp. 23-28.

  • Anteneh, N. (2002). Effects of liming and phosphorus application on P-availability, growth and dry matter of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) seedlings. An M.Sc. Thesis, Presented to the School of Graduate Studies of Alamaya University.

  • Arora, S. (2002). Balanced nutrition for sustainable crop production. Department of soils, Punjab Agricultural university. LUDMIANO. KrishiWorld. 33 pp.

  • Black, C.A. (1965). Methods of soil analysis part II, Am. Soc. Agron. Madison,Wisconsins,USA.

  • Bray, H.R. and Kurtz, L.T. (1945). Determination of organic and available forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Sci., 59: 39-45.

  • Chane, A. (1991). Effect of media composition, volume and nutrition on Coffee arabica L. seedlings. An M.Sc. Thesis, Presented to the School of Graduate Studies of Alamaya Agricultural University.

  • Codling, E.T., Chaney, R.L. and Sherwell, J. (2002). Poultry litter ash as a potential phosphorus for agricultural crops. J. Environ. Qual., 31: 954-961.

  • Edossa, E. (2001). Effect of potting media types and weights on the emergency and growth of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) seedlings. An M.Sc. Thesis, Presented to the School of Graduate Studies of Alamaya University.

  • Foth, D. and Ellis, G. (1997). Soil fertility. 2nd Ed. CRC Press LLL, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A.

  • Grohn, P., Goletti, F. and Yudelman, M. (2000). Integrated nutrient management, soil fertility and sustainable agriculture. Current Issues and Future Challenges. 85 pp.

  • Heeraman, D.A., Claassen, V.P. and Zasuski, R.J. (2001). Interaction of lime, organic matter and fertilizer on growth and uptake of Arsenic and Mercury by Zorro fescue (Vulpia myurus L.). Plant &Soil., 234 : 215-231.

  • Iyamuremye, F. and Dick, R.P. (1996). Organic amendments and phosphorous sorption by soils. Adv. Agron., 56: 139-185.

  • Jackson, M.L. (1958). Soil chemical analysis. Engle wood cliffs, N.J., Prentice Hall. 498 pp.

  • Materechena, S.A. and Mkahabela, T.S. (2002).The effectiveness of lime, chicken manure and litter ash in ameliorating acidity in a soil previously under black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) plantation. Bioresource Technol., 85: 9-16.

  • Okalebo, J.R., Gathua, K.W. and Wormer, P.P. (1993). Laboratory methods of soil and plant analysis. A working manual, Soil Science Society of East Africa. Technical Publication No.1 Marvel EPZ (Kenya) LTD, Nairobi, Kenya.

  • Patra, D.D., Anwar, M. and Chand, S. (2000). Integrated nutrient management and waste recycling for restoring soil fertility and productivity in Japanese mint and mustard sequence in utter Pradesh, India. Agric. Ecosyst. & Environ., 80: 267-275.

  • Paulos, D. (1994). Mineral fertilizer of coffee in Ethiopia. Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 105 pp.

  • Sahlemedhin, S. and Ahmed, A. (1983). Phosphorus sorption characteristics of some Ethiopian soils. Ethiopian J. Agric. Sci., 5 (1): 1-20.

  • Sanchez, A. and Sons, W. (1976). Properties and management of soils in the tropics. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., NEWYORK, U.S.A.

  • Sanckez, P.A. (1976). Properties and management of soils in the tropics. John wiley and sons., NEW YORK, U.S.A.

  • Shanjida, K. and Sarwar, K.S. (2002).Effect of water hyacinth compost on physical, physico-chemical properties of soil and on rice yield. Pakistan J. Agron., 23: 64-65

  • Singh, M.W., Singh, V.P. and Reddy, K.Sammi (2001).Effect of integrated use of fertilizer nitrogen and farmyard manure or green manure on transformation of N, K and S and productivity of rice-wheat system on a vertisol. J. Indian Soc. Soil. Sci., 49 (3): 430-435.

  • Sopher, C.D. and Baird, J.V. (1982). Soils and soil management. Prentice Hall career and Engle wood cliffs, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A.

  • Syndor, M.E. and Redente, E.F. (2002). Reclamation of high elevation, acidic mine waste with organic amendments and top soil. Ecosyst. Restoration, pp 30-32.

  • Taye, K. (1998). Response of Arabica coffee (Coffee arabica L.) to various soil fertility management. M.Sc. Thesis, Presented to School of Graduate Studies of Alamaya Agricultural University.

  • Tisdale, S.L. and Nelson, W.L. (1975). Soil fertility and fertilizers. 3rd Ed. Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc. NEWYORK, U.S.A.

  • Tolanur, S.I. and Badanur, V.P. (2003). Changes in organic carbon, available N, P and K under integrated use of organic manure, green manure and fertilizer on sustaining productivity of pearl-millet-pigeanpea system and fertility of inceptisol. J. Indian Soc. Soil Sci., 51(1) : 37-41.

  • Walkley, A. and Black, I.A. (1934). An examination of the Degtiareff method for determining soil organic matter and a proposed chromic acid titration method. Soil Sci., 37: 29-38.

  • Zekarias, S., Tsegaye, G. and Dawit, A. (2006). Characterization and analysis avocado production and marketing in south western Ethiopia. Jimma Agricultural Research Centre. pp. 6-8.


Abstract Views: 265

PDF Views: 0




  • Growth, Dry Matter Production of Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) Seedlings and Soil Physicochemical Properties as Affected by Organic and Inorganic Nutrient Sources

Abstract Views: 265  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

A. Haileab
Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia

Abstract


A lath house trial involving four doses of inorganic N and P and six types of organic potting materials was undertaken in the Jimma Agricultural Research Centre in the year 2011 to determine the effect of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on the soil physico-chemical properties, growth and dry matter production of avocado seedlings. Four levels of inorganic N and P (N0P0, N150P200,N300P400 and N450P600mg/pot) as the first factor and five organic materials, FYM (farmyard manure), FD (farmyard manure mixed with decomposed coffee husk), DCH (decomposed coffee husk), UCH (un decomposed coffee husk) and UF (un decomposed coffee husk mixed with farmyard manure), including TS (Top soil) as the second factor were evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Avocado shoot (plant height, stem girth, number of leaves and leaf area) and ischolar_main growths (ischolar_main girth, primary ischolar_main length and lateral ischolar_main length) were significantly (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) affected by the independent effect of organic and inorganic nutrient sources. The lowest and highest shoot growths were recorded at N0P0 and N300P400of fertilizer application, respectively. Most vigorous shoot growths were recorded from seedlings grown in TS:DCH (2:1) followed by (TS:FYM (2:1). Media prepared from TS: UCH (2:1) had the least avocado shoot and ischolar_main growths. Seedlings grown on decomposed organic materials produced higher amount of ischolar_main growth in the order: TS : FYM (2:1)>TS:FD (2:1)>TS:DCH (2:1). Media prepared from TS:UCH(2:1)+N0P0 and TS:DCH (2:1)+N450P600 resulted significantly the lowest and the highest shoot dry mass, respectively. TS : FYM (2:1)+N300P400produced the highest total dry matter followed by TS:DCH (2:1)+N450P600. The lowest total dry matter, on the other hand, was obtained from TS:UCH (2:1) + N0P0. Decomposed organic materials incorporated into the growing media had significantly improved the water holding capacity of the media at both the permanent and field capacity. The decomposed organic materials, in particular, had a positive influence on most chemical properties considered during the study (Total N, available P, Organic carbon, pH, CEC and EC).With the increase in the rate of application of inorganic NP fertilizers, the pH and EC of the growing media had accordingly decreased; Total N and available P, on the other hand, had improved. Apart from independent effects, the electrical conductivity of the growing media was also significantly affected by the interaction of organic and inorganic source of fertilizers. In conclusion, most vigorous avocado seedlings under lath house condition was obtained by amelioration of the growth media using TS : FYM(2:1) +N300P400 followed by TS: DCH (2:1) + N450P600.

Keywords


Growth, Dry Matter, Inorganic Fertilizer, Organic Materials, Seedlings, Shoot, Root Growths, Physical, Chemical Properties.

References