Trends1122 in Biosciences 10(3), Print : ISSN 0974-8431,Trends 1122-1124, in Biosciences 2017 10 (3), 2017

Influence of Potting Mixtures on Germination, Growth and Survival of excelsa H. C. BHASOTIYA AND M. B. TANDEL ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University Navsari, Gujarat email : [email protected]

ABSTRACT and sand were purchased from local vendors. However, The present investigation on germination, growth and Farm Yard Manure (FYM) was obtained from Livestock Research Station of N.A.U. Navsari. survival of Ailanthus excelsaas affected by eight different combinations of soil, sand and farm yard manure (FYM) The pre-treated (12 hours soaking in cold water) was conducted at Poly House, ASPEE College of Ailanthus excelsa seeds were sown in the polythene bags Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural filled with soil, sand and FYM in different ratio combinations

University Navsari, Gujarat in Completely Randomized viz., T1-Soil: Sand = 1:1, T2- Soil: FYM = 1:1, T3- Soil: Sand:

Design (CRD) with three repetitions. Significantly FYM = 1:2:1, T4- Soil: Sand: FYM = 1:1:2, maximum germination percentage of Ailanthus excelsa T5- Soil: Sand: FYM = 2:1:1, T6- Soil: Sand: FYM = 2:2:1, T - Soil: Sand: FYM = 2:1:2 and T - Soil: Sand: FYM = seedling was noted in T1 (Soil: Sand @ 1:1). The number 7 8 of leaves per , shoot length, collar diameter, seedling 1:2:2.Black polythene bags having size 21 x 15 cm (200 survival percentage, fresh and dry weight per plant of Gauges) with four pairs of holes at the bottom were used in Ailanthus excelsa seedling were registered in potting all treatments. The seeds Ailanthus excelsa were sown at the depth of 1 cm in each polythene bag by dibbling method. mixtures of Soil: Sand: FYM @ 2:1:2 (T7). While, root The were irrigated once in a 3 days during first month length of Ailanthus excelsa seedling was found in T8 (Soil: Sand: FYM @ 1:2:2). Among all these mixtures, Soil: and once in 2 days during rest of the period. All the bags Sand: FYM in 2:1:2 ratios were found best in the most of were arranged treatments wise and were kept in poly house. the growth parameters. The observation on germination percentage, number of leaves per plant, shoot length, collar diameter, root length, Key words Potting Media, Ailanthus excels, Seedling, plant fresh weight and plant dry weight were recorded and Growth attributes. analyzed by methods prescribed by Panse and Sukhatme (1967) in CRD (Completely Randomized Design) with three replications at Computer Centre, N. M. College of Ailanthus word was derived from ailantho Ambones Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari. probably meaning “tree of the gods” or “tree of heaven” is a genus of trees belonging to the family . In Experimental Results the order (formerly Rutales or Geranial’s). This Germination percentage tree was first described by William Roxburgh in 1795 for the Circars in the eastern parts of India; The tree is indigenous An appraisal of data presented in Table-1 clearly to Southern and Central India and distributed in Western indicated that treatment T1- (Soil: Sand = 1:1) was recorded Peninsula, Rajasthan, Bihar, Orissa, Bundelkhand, Madhya maximum germination percentage (79.7 %) which was

Pradesh; Bharuch and Panchamal districts of Gujarat, in statistically at par with T8 (78.9 %) and T6 (78.4 %). dry deciduous forests of Maharashtra, scarce in Deccan Number of leaves/plant and Karnataka, North Circars, forest of Tamilnadu. It is a tree of fast growth and for this reason; it is being propagated It is evident from data presented in Table – 1 that in some of the drier parts of India. It is also said to be significantly highest number of leaves per plant was reported in T (49.4, 73.6, and 75.7, respectively at 60, 120, indigenous to Australia. 7 and 180 DAS) which was followed by T4 (44.4, 66.7 and 72.5 Standardization of nursery techniques is the first step respectively attwo month of interval). for raising successful plantations. The expenditure on nursery alone takes a major portion of plantation cost. The Shoot length (cm) cost can however be reduced by evolving a cheap, suitable Looking to the data furnished in Table- 1, it is evident and desire nursery practice for raising seedling in pot by that significantly highest shoot length were reported in T7 vegetative propagation or by seed. Potting mixture is the (29.5, 55.2 and 64.0 cm, receptively at 60, 120 and 180 DAS) only source of supplying adequate nutrients to the seedling which was followed by T4 (27.61, 49.3and 57.3 cm, and thus it plays an important role in nursery rising, as it receptively at 60, 120 and 180 DAS). affects supply of water and nutrients for the growth and Collar diameter other physiological process. The data regarding to collar diameter at 60, 120 and MATERIAL AND METHODS 180 DAS interval are furnished in Table- 1. The potting The present investigation was carried out at the Poly mixtures of Soil: Sand: FYM @ 2:1:2 (T7) noted House, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari significantly maximum collar diameter (0.65, 1.12, and 1.53 Agricultural University Navsari, Gujarat. The nursery soil cm, respectively at 60, 120, and 180 DAS) which was BHASOTIYA and TANDEL, Influence of Potting Mixtures on Germination, Growth and Survival of Ailanthus excelsa 1123

Table 1. Effect of different potting mixtures on germination, growth and survival percentage of Ailanthus excelsa.

Collar diameter No. of leaves/plant Shoot length (cm) Potting Germination (cm) Root Fresh Dry Survival mixtures percentage length weight weight percentage (Treat.) (%) 60 120 180 60 120 180 60 120 180 (cm) (g) (g) (%) DAS DAS DAS DAS DAS DAS DAS DAS DAS

T1 79.7 24.3 41.9 43.2 12.6 33.5 40.0 0.32 0.74 0.98 20.0 64.4 27.3 35.1

T2 64.0 31.8 48.9 57.5 16.8 37.4 46.8 0.42 0.93 1.19 22.6 69.2 29.9 45.4

T3 73.6 34.5 52.3 62.5 18.8 39.9 49.1 0.46 0.96 1.22 31.4 73.5 32.7 52.0

T4 63.5 44.4 66.7 72.5 27.6 49.3 57.3 0.61 1.07 1.39 29.2 91.7 44.4 71.1

T5 61.4 41.6 63.6 70.2 24.8 46.6 54.5 0.57 1.04 1.34 24.6 86.9 41.2 67.9

T6 78.4 36.4 56.0 64.8 19.9 41.7 50.9 0.51 0.99 1.25 33.7 78.4 35.5 56.2

T7 61.7 49.4 73.6 75.7 29.5 55.2 64.0 0.65 1.12 1.53 27.2 96.4 47.4 78.4

T8 78.9 39.2 60.1 67.9 21.5 43.9 52.6 0.54 1.02 1.30 36.3 82.6 38.3 65.4 S.Em 1.45 0.42 0.40 0.57 0.27 0.56 0.55 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.18 0.28 0.13 1.58 C.D. at 4.10 0.87 1.14 1.62 0.78 1.59 1.55 0.01 0.03 0.04 0.5 0.8 0.36 4.4 5% CV % 7.19 2.83 2.42 3.10 4.49 4.51 3.68 2.19 3.87 3.56 2.2 1.2 1.2 9.3

Moreover, the FYM release nutrients and regulates followed by T4 (0.61, 1.07 and 1.34 cm, respectively at monthly interval). nutrient uptake, improve plant growth and physical status of soil. Thus, the increase in FYM in potting mixtures favors Root length: the growth of seedlings specially increase plant growth The data on root length at the end of the experiment therefore more carbon and biomass gain, thus increase the are presented in Table- 1. Significantly maximum root length collar diameter, fresh weight and dry weight of seedlings. was reported in T8 (36.3 cm) which was followed by T6 (33.7 The maximum it contains more amounts of nutrients in FYM cm). However, lowest root length was found in T1 (20.0 cm). making it to stand first and sand will provide porosity and Fresh weight (g/plant) drainage to the growth medium which will avoid damping off of the seedlings and helps in the better stand.These Looking to the data presented in Table- 1, it is evident results are analogous with the earlier findings of Sharma et that T reported significantly maximum fresh weight per 7 al. (2004) in Acacia auriculiformis, Rathore et al. (2004) in plant (96.4 g) which was followed by T (91.7 g).Moreover, 4 Casuarina equisetifolia, Gopikumar and Chandran (2003) minimum fresh weight per plant was observed in T (65.3 g). 1 in Tectona grandis, Patel et al. (2013) in Terminalia bellerica Dry weight (g/plant) and Parasana et al. (2013) in Mangifera indica. The data presented in Table- 1 indicated that the While, the increase in root length may be attributed to improve physical properties of potting mixture i.e., bulk potting mixture of Soil: Sand: FYM @ 2:1:2 (T7) reported significantly maximum dry weight per plant (47.4 g) which density, porosity, which has resulted in increase aeration and better water holding capacity, soil aeration and respect was followed by T4 (44.4 g). Whereas, minimum dry weight to nutrient and water absorption for better root length. per plant was observed in T1 (27.3 g). These results are in line with earlier findings of Gopikumar Survival percentage: and Chandran (2003) in Tectona grandis, Tiwari and Saxena

The potting mixture of Soil: Sand: FYM @ 2:1:2 (T7) (2003) in Daldergia sissoo and Mumtaz et al. (2010) in recorded significantly maximum survival percentage (78.4 Albizia lebbeck. %) which was followed by Soil: Sand: FYM @ 1:1:2 (T , 71.1 4 CONCLUSION %). Whereas, minimum seedling survival percentage was From the forgoing investigation, it is concluded that observed in T1 (35.1 %). potting mixture of Soil: Sand @ 1:1 gave significantly RESULTS AND DISCUSSION maximum germination percentage of Ailanthus excelsa. The The highest germination percentage was noted in potting mixtures of Soil: Sand: FYM @ 2:1:2 (T7) significantly potting mixtures of soil and sand which might be due to increased number of leaves per plant, shoot length, collar sand which provides good aeration and drainage for better diameter, seedling survival percentage, fresh and dry weight seed germination and mineral mobilization.This finding is per plant of Ailanthus excelsa. While, T8 (Soil: Sand: FYM in conformity with Patel et al. (2013) and Rawat et al. (2009). @ 1:2:2) increased root length of Ailanthus excelsa. 1124 Trends in Biosciences 10 (3), 2017

LITERATURE CITED Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn.)Roxb.as affected by various potting media. Indian Forester, 139 (1): 33-36. Gopikumar, K. and Chandran, M. 2003. Effect of waste materials on growth and vigour of teak (Tectona grandis Linn) seedlings Rathore, T. S.; Annapurna.D.; Joshi. G. and Srivatava, A. 2004. in the nursery.J. Tropical Forestry, 19 (1&2) : 6-15. Studies on potting mixture and size of containers on the quality of seedling production in Casuarina equisetifolia.Indian Mumtaz Majeed.; Altamash Bashir and Hilal Ahmad. 2010. Forester, 130 (1-4): 323-332. Evaluation of different potting mixture for raising Albizialeb beck (L.) Benth seedlings in the nursery. Indian J. of Forestry,33 Rawat Neela; Singson, M. Z.; Tamta, B. P. and Atter Singh 2009. (4): 529-532. Study on germination potential and harvesting of Valeriana wallichii propagated under different media. Indian Forester, 135 Panse, V. G. and Sukhatme, P. V. 1967. Statistical Methods for (1): 55-59. Agricultural Workers, I.C.A.R., New Delhi. Sharma, R. S.; Kothari, R. M. and Ramamurthy, V. 2004. Role of Parasana, J. S.; Leua, H. N. and Ray, N. R. 2013. Effect of different potting media in raising Acacia auriculiformis plant lets in growing media mixture on germination and seedlings growth of nursery. Indian J. of Forestry, 27 (1): 51-55. mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars under net house conditions.The Bioscan, 8 (3) : 897-900. Tiwari, P. and Saxena, A. K 2003. Effect of different soil mixture and fertilizer on the growth of Dalbergia sissoo seedlings. Indian Patel, V. S.; Patil, N. S.; Tandel, M. B. 2013. Germination of J. of Forestry, 26 (3) : 254-259.

Received on 16-01-2017 Accepted on 21-01-2017