Growth Response of Garcinia kola Heckel Seedlings to Organic and Organomineral Fertilizers

Abstract

Growth responses of Garcinia kola seedlings to organic manure and organomineral fertilizer at three different levels were examined. Seven treatments were applied namely T1- 2t/ha of Leucaena leucocephala compost (LLC), T2- 4t/ha LLC, T3- 6t/ha LLC, T4 - 2t/ha of organomineral fertilizer (OMF), T5- 4t/ha OMF, T6- 6t/ha OMF and T7- control. Garcinia kola seedlings of same size were selected and transplanted from germination trays after 6weeks into medium sized polypots lled with 2kg topsoil after 6months from germination tray. The experimental design was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five replicates. The growth parameters assessed include plant height, collar diameter, number of leaves and biomass production for a period of twenty weeks. The results showed that there were signicant differences among the growth parameters. Garcinia kola seedlings treated with 6t/ha Leucaena leucocephala compost and 2t/ha organomineral fertilizer gave highest plant height (22.8±1.24cm) and collar diameter (5.02±0.16mm) respectively. Treatment containing 2t/ha Leucaena leucocephala compost gave the highest leaf number (9.2±1.74), wet weight (10.58±0.47g) and dry weight (4.00±0.25g) respectively. Correlations coefcient (r) between the growth parameters and total biomass production showed positive correlation and statistically signicant at 5.0%. Organic and organomineral fertilizers with optimum growth in this study are recommended for raising good and healthy Garcinia kola seedlings in the nursery for plantation establishment.