researcharticle International Journal of Sciences, (July to December, 2009) Vol. 4 Issue 2 : 346-351 Effect of garbage on performance of rosewood ( latifolia) seedlings in the nursery K. GOPIKUMAR

Accepted : February, 2009

SUMMARY The present series of investigations were conducted at Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur to evaluate the effect of potting media containing municipal garbage on the growth and vigour of rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb.), a multi

purpose tree species in the nursery. The treatments T1 (soil), T2 (soil: sand) and T3 (soil: sand: cowdung) recorded 100 per cent initial survival rate. In most of the treatments containing municipal garbage, initial establishment were found to be good. Growth and vigour in terms of shoot growth parameters were found to be most promising when the seedlings were grown in potting media containing 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage and soil: sand: cowdung. Physiological growth parameters did not show any systematic pattern. No uniform trend could be observed with regard to chlorophyll content also. Seedlings grown in potting media containing soil: sand: cowdung recorded maximum content of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in the tissues. Media containing 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage also recorded high content of tissue nitrogen and phosphorous. It was observed that at the end of the study period, percentage of nutrient elements in different potting media slightly increased compared to the initial content.

Key words : Rosewood, Municipal garbage, Chlorophyll, Decomposition, Nutrient content

n , about 40% of the plant nutrients are consumed municipal garbage (T10), 2 weeks decomposed municipal by rice crop. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) plays a very garbage (T ), 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage I 11 important role in providing nutrition to human race. The (T12). traits like yield and its components are governed by The present studies were conducted for a period polygens with complex gene action and hence, of six months. Initially the seeds were sown in nursery understanding the nature and magnitude of gene action beds. Uniform vigorous seedlings of 2-3 weeks old help the breeder in selection of an appropriable breeding were planted in 200 guage polythene covers of 30-40 method. For impartment in such an important crop, the cm size filled with different treatment media. The most important prerequisite is the selection of suitable components were mixed on v/v basis. Experiment was parents, which could combine well and produce laid out in CRD with four replications. A total number describable hybrids and segregants. In the presents study, of 1200 seedlings were maintained in the field as a an attempt has been made to estimate the heterosis in F1 part of study. hybrids, using line x tester mating designs. The initial establishment after one week and final survival rate after six months, shoot growth parameters MATERIALS AND METHODS (height, girth, total biomass production), root growth The present study was conducted at College of parameters (length, number and biomass production), leaf Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara growth parameters, physiological observations like (Thrissur district of Kerala state). Uniform healthy chlorophyll content, leaf area, relative growth rate, specific seedlings of Dalbergia latifolia were planted using leaf area, leaf weight ratio, leaf area ratio etc., were recorded. Nutrient status of the seedlings during the study different potting media viz., soil (T1), soil : sand (T2), soil period and final nutrient content of nitrogen, phosphorous : sand : cowdung (T3), soil : fresh municipal garbage (T4), and potassium in the media were also estimated. The data soil : 2 weeks decomposed garbage (T5), soil : 4 weeks were analyzed statistically. decomposed garbage (T6), soil : sand : fresh municipal garbage (T7), soil : sand: 2 weeks decomposed garbage RESULTS AND DISCUSSION (T8), soil : sand : 4 weeks decomposed garbage (T9), fresh Results obtained are summarized in Table 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Analysis of variance revealed that garbage had Correspondence to: significant effect on growth attributed of seedlings. K. GOPIKUMAR, College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, THRISSUR (KERALA) INDIA

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Survival rate of Dalbergia seedlings in different Treatments T1 (soil), T2 (soil: sand) and T3 (soil: sand: potting media containing garbage: cowdung) recorded 100 per cent initial survival rate. In Municipal garbage when used as a component of most of the treatments containing municipal garbage, initial potting media significantly influenced the survival rate of establishment was found to be good. In the case of seedlings as is evidenced from the data furnished in treatments T9 (soil: sand: 4 weeks decomposed garbage),

Table1. The effect on survival was more pronounced when and T12 (4weeks decomposed garbage), very high survival fresh garbage alone was used as the potting media. In rate of 91 and 85 per cent, respectively were recorded at the present study no survival was noticed when fresh the end of the study period, after six months. garbage alone was used for raising seedlings. It could be It could be stated that the survival rate was directly seen from the table that survival rate of rose wood proportional to the period of decomposition of garbage. seedlings was substantially influenced by the potting media. Elliot et al. (1981) reported that all the organic wastes cannot be applied directly as such into the soil because of Table 1 : Effect of potting media on survival rate of their wide C : N ratio. They are known to reduce the seedlings availability of important mineral nutrients to growing Survival through immobilization into organic forms and also Treatment Treatment details percentage No. produce phytotoxic substances during their decomposition. Initial Final Many earlier workers have noticed high rate of mortality T1 Soil 100 99 and incidence of Rhizoctonia and attack T2 Soil : sand 100 98 when fresh garbage is used as component of potting T3 Soil : sand : cowdung (1:1:1) 100 96 media. But when the fresh garbage decomposed for six T4 Soil : fresh garbage (1:1) 75 50 months was used, the mortality was significantly reduced. T5 Soil :2 weeks decomposed garbage 91 84 In the present study also the complete mortality of (1:1) seedlings when fresh garbage alone was used could be T6 Soil :4 weeks decomposed garbage 90 84 probably due to low availability of nutrients in the media (1:1) and also infection of microorganism present in the garbage. T7 Soil : sand : Fresh garbage(1:1:1) 97 90 T Soil:sand:2 weeks decomposed 86 76 8 Growth and vigour of seedlings as affected by garbage (1:1:1) different potting media containing garbage: T Soil:sand:4 weeks decomposed 98 91 9 Statistical analysis of the data with regard to various garbage (1:1:1) shoot growth parameters of seedlings indicate that overall T Fresh garbage 3 0 10 shoot growth performance of the seedlings were T 2 weeks decomposed garbage 98 94 11 significantly influenced by most of the treatments. T12 4 weeks decomposed garbage 96 85

Table 2 : Effect of potting media on growth attributes of seedlings Months Treatment Treatment details Height Collar Shoot Root Root length Root No. (cm) diameter (mm) weight (g) weight (g) (cm) number cde b bc f bc T1 Soil 35.67 4.16 4.60 3.71 22.70 34.50 de ab bc e bc T2 Soil:sand 33.03 4.21 4.52 5.18 23.43 35.00 ab a a a bc T3 Soil:sand:cowdung (1:1:1) 43.42 4.74 6.45 7.72 28.53 34.50 f c c g c T4 Soil:fresh garbage (1:1) 21.23 2.58 3.52 2.76 29.66 31.75 e b bc bc ab T5 Soil:2 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1) 29.45 3.99 4.52 6.53 25.00 36.75 a a ab a bc T6 Soil:4 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1) 46.22 4.71 5.45 7.72 29.88 34.00 de ab b e bc T7 Soil: sand:Fresh garbage (1:1:1) 33.33 4.28 4.83 5.22 31.50 32.25 bcd ab bc d a T8 Soil:sand:2 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1:1) 37.83 4.31 4.72 5.97 21.38 39.50 abc ab b b ab T9 Soil:sand:4 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1:1) 40.70 4.21 5.21 6.78 26.58 36.50 cde b bc cd abc T11 2 weeks decomposed garbage 36.08 3.94 4.75 6.12 30.55 35.50 abcd a ab a bc T12 4 weeks decomposed garbage 39.88 4.72 5.75 7.28 29.93 34.50 Prob 0.0000 0.0001 0.0015 0.0000 NS 0.0281 S.E. + 2.24 0.15 0.39 0.17 2.43 1.38 Figures with the same alphabets do not differ significantly

[Internat. J. Plant Sci., July - Dec. 2009, 4 (2)] HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE EFFECT OF GARBAGE ON PERFORMANCE OF ROSEWOOD ( Dalbergia latifolia) SEEDLINGS IN THE NURSERY 348

According to Hernandez (1999), shoot growth parameters T12 (4 weeks decomposed garbage-5.51 g), followed by like height, collar diameter, shoot fresh weight and shoot treatment T6 (soil: 4 weeks decomposed garbage-5.07 g) dry weight have to be considered as important criteria and T9 (soil: Sand: 4 weeks decomposed garbage-4.99g). for measuring the vigour of seedlings. The data furnished At the end of the study period, though not significant in Table 2 showed that the seedlings grown in treatments statistically, seedlings grown in potting media containing

T6 (soil: 4 weeks decomposed garbage) and T3 (soil: sand: 4 weeks decomposed garbage recorded maximum root cowdung) recorded the maximum height of 46.22 cm and length (29.93 cm), followed by T6 (soil: 4 weeks 43.42 cm, respectively at the end of the study period. decomposed garbage-29.88 cm). It could be seen from Maximum height increment also was recorded by these the table that during most of the periods of observation, treatments. These treatments were followed by treatment treatment T9 (soil: sand: 4 weeks decomposed garbage)

T9 ( soil:sand:4 weeks decomposed garbage) where the was highly promising with regard to the number of roots height was 40.70cm. Thus a positive correlation could be produced. A marked stimulation of root length and root observed between the period of decomposition of garbage fresh weight were reported at 5 per cent concentration, and height growth. This could be because of improved when solid waste was used at varying concentrations of nutrient status and water retention capacity of the media. 25,15 and 5 per cent of the potting media for raising tree During the first two months treatments did not exert crops (Radha and Panigrahi, 1998). Ritchie (1982) has any significant influence on collar girth. From the third stated that carbohydrates and growth regulators in single month onwards, T3 (soil: sand: cowdung) recorded the or in combination produced by the shoots are necessary maximum collar girth till the end of the study period. for growth. There was a positive relationship between

Treatments T3 (soil: sand: cowdung) and T6 (soil: 4 weeks stored carbohydrates or photosynthates present in the stem decomposed garbage) were at par during most of the and development of healthy root system (Davis et al., period of observation. Maximum increment of 3.33 mm 1990). This statement is true with regard to the present in collar girth was recorded by treatments T3 (soil: sand: study also. The treatments that were proved better with cowdung) and T6 (soil: 4 weeks decomposed garbage). regard to root weight were performing better with regard

At the end of the study period, treatment T3 (soil: sand: to shoot weight also. Gopikumar and Minichandran (2003) cowdung) recorded the maximum collar diameter of 4.74 have reported that treatments containing partially mm which was at par with T12 (4 weeks decomposed decomposed garbage were performing better compared garbage) and T6 (soil: 4 weeks decomposed garbage). to other treatments with regard to root growth parameters Similar results were also observed in teak and mangium and physiological attributes in the case of Ailanthus in a study conducted by Adersh (2001). He has also seedlings. reported that addition of cow dung can improve soil With regard to root dry weight, treatment T3 (soil: physical properties and also nutrient availability and this sand: cowdung), T6 (soil: 4 weeks decomposed garbage) may be the probable reason for the better growth of and T12 (4 weeks decomposed garbage) were found to seedlings in potting media containing cow dung. be the most promising. At the end of the study period, A gradual increase in biomass production was shown maximum increment (7.60g) in root dry weight was by seedlings grown in different potting media from obtained by treatment T3 (soil: sand: cowdung). This was beginning to end of the study period. At the end of the closely followed by treatment T6 (soil: 4 weeks of study period, maximum shoot dry weight was recorded decomposed garbage) which recorded an increment of by the treatment T3 (soil: sand: cowdung-6.45g). This was 7.21g compared to the beginning of the study period. The followed by T12 (4 weeks decomposed garbage-5.75g) treatments that were proved better with regard to root and T6 (soil: 4 weeks decomposed garbage-5.45g). weight were performing better with regard to shoot weight Biomass production is a function of photosynthetically also. Gopikumar and Minichandran (2002) have reported active radiation resulting greater shoot weight of sugar that treatments containing partially decomposed garbage maple seedlings when grown in green house medium were performing better with regard to root growth (Ward et al., 1981). Effective utilization of solar energy parameters and physiological growth attributes in the case and also the availability of ample supply of nutrients of Ailanthus triphysa seedlings. especially nitrogen may be the reason for the better performance of the seedlings grown in treatments T3 (soil: Physiological growth attributes of seedlings as affected sand: cowdung), T6 (soil: 4 weeks decomposed garbage) by different potting media containing garbage: and T12 (4 weeks decomposed garbage). Maximum In the present study, leaf area, leaf area ratio, increment in shoot dry weight was obtained by treatment specific leaf area, specific leaf weight, relation growth

[Internat. J. Plant Sci., July - Dec. 2009, 4 (2)] HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE 349 K. GOPIKUMAR

Table 3 : Effect of potting media on physiological attributes of seedlings Treatment RGR LA SLA SLW LAR LWR Treatment details no. (g.day-1) (cm2) (cm2. g-1) (g. cm-2) (g .g-1) (g. g-1) d cd e bc a T1 Soil 0.008 357.7 105.58 0.009 88.06 0.37 d cd de c a T2 Soil:sand (1:1) 0.004 340.33 97.37 0.011 82.06 0.38 b b f b b T3 Soil:sand:cowdung (1:1:1) 0.010 704.73 198.02 0.005 109.13 0.26 ef e cd d ab T4 Soil:fresh garbage (1:1) 0.004 115.50 69.31 0.016 39.49 0.29 f f b e a T5 Soil:2 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1) 0.007 79.02 33.89 0.030 18.15 0.39 c c e bc a T6 Soil:4 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1) 0.006 522.19 128.12 0.008 94.15 0.37 f g a f a T7 Soil: sand:Fresh garbage (1:1) 0.003 62.50 17.40 0.061 12.33 0.40 a a f a a T8 Soil:sand:2 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1:1) 0.004 818.38 307.69 0.004 169.77 0.38 d cd e c a T9 Soil:sand:4 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1:1) 0.008 385.8 106.49 0.010 77.48 0.37 e e b d a T11 2 weeks decomposed garbage 0.003 196.20 56.34 0.018 41.41 0.37 a a f ab T12 4 weeks decomposed garbage 0.005 901.15 375.84 0.004 39.49d 0.29 Prob NS 0.0000 0.00 0.00 0.0000 0.0000 S.E. + 0.02 34.74 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Figures with the same alphabets do not differ significantly NS- Non significance RGR-Relative growth rate, LA-Leaf area, SLA-Specific leaf area, SLW-Specific leaf weight, LAR-Leaf area ratio, LWR-Leaf weight ratio rate, chlorophyll content etc. were considered as important garbage) recorded a decrease in leaf area during the sixth criteria for measuring the growth and vigour of seedlings. month of observation. The decreasing trend in leaf area Till the fourth month, maximum leaf area was recorded could be due to various environmental factors. by the treatment T3 (soil: sand: cowdung) (Table 3). From Leaf area ratio was maximum for treatment T8 (soil fourth month onwards, treatment T 12 (4 weeks : sand : 2 weeks decomposed garbage). Generally for all decomposed garbage) was having maximum leaf area the treatments, a decreasing trend in leaf area ratio was and this trend continued till the end of the study. Wireland observed during the second and third months of (1985) has noticed that plants with high rate of leaf growth observation. Other physiological growth attributed like probably had a high photosynthetic efficiency and growth specific leaf area, specific leaf weight, leaf weight ratio potential. Khalilian and Sullivan (1997) have reported that and relative growth rate did not follow any systematic addition of composted garbage improve nutrient pattern with regard to different treatments (Table 3). availability. This could be one of the reasons for better Similar trends were also reported by Gopikumar and performance of the seedlings grown in potting media with Minichandran (2003) in the case of teak seedlings when decomposed garbage. All the treatments except T3 solid waste was used as a component of potting media.

(soil:sand: cowdung) and T11 (2 weeks decomposed No uniform trend could be observed on the effect of

Table 4 : Effect of potting media on chlorophyll content (mg g-1)of seedlings at monthly intervals Treatment Chlorophyll content (mg g-1) at monthly intervals Treatment details No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 bcd de bc ab b ab T1 Soil 2.22 1.99 1.98 2.80 2.82 2.96 a de b cde cde bc T2 Soil:sand (1:1) 2.59 1.87 2.12 2.06 2.03 1.97 ab cde bc cde cde bc T3 Soil:sand:cowdung (1:1:1) 2.50 2.16 1.92 1.94 2.07 2.17 g a a a a a T4 Soil:fresh garbage (1:1) 1.22 3.36 2.76 3.24 3.33 3.54 f e b cde cde ab T5 Soil:2 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1) 1.50 1.82 2.27 1.99 2.09 2.92 cd cde bc cde cdef bc T6 Soil:4 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1) 2.19 2.10 1.84 1.92 1.99 2.06 fg bc bc e f c T7 Soil: sand:Fresh garbage (1:1) 1.28 2.55 1.88 1.45 1.43 1.53 e bcd b de ef c T8 Soil:sand:2 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1:1) 1.84 2.38 2.18 1.64 1.64 1.52 de cde bc bc bc abc T9 Soil:sand:4 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1:1) 2.41 2.08 2.01 2.46 2.45 2.52 de b b de def c T11 2 weeks decomposed garbage 1.98 2.74 2.16 1.70 1.70 1.59 de de c bcd bcd abc T12 4 weeks decomposed garbage 2.04 1.99 1.60 2.30 2.30 2.59 Prob 0.0123 0.0000 0.0002 0.0000 0.0005 0.003 S.E.+ 0.10 0.11 0.07 0.34 0.14 0.34

[Internat. J. Plant Sci., July - Dec. 2009, 4 (2)] HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE EFFECT OF GARBAGE ON PERFORMANCE OF ROSEWOOD ( Dalbergia latifolia) SEEDLINGS IN THE NURSERY 350 treatments on the total chlorophyll content of seedlings Adersh (2001). In the case of teak and mangium seedlings, (Table 4). Maximum total chlorophyll content was shoot growth of plants is reported to be highly influenced -1 recorded by treatment T4 (soil:fresh garbage-3.54 mg g ) by nitrogen. In the present investigation also, the seedlings at the end of the study period. This increase is from the which showed high tissue nitrogen concentration showed -1 initial content of 1.22 mg g . Treatment T8 (sol:sand:2 better performance with regard to shoot growth attributes weeks decomposed garbage) recorded minimum content viz., height, collar diameter, fresh and dry weights of of 1.52 mg g-1 of total chlorophyll at the end of the study shoots. Maximum concentration of potassium and and was at par with T7 (soil : sand : fresh garbage) and phosphorous was also recorded by seedlings grown in

T11( 2 weeks decomposed municipal garbage) which treatment T3 (soil: sand: cowdung). Scientific studies reveal recorded 1.53 mg g-1 and 1.59 mg g-1, respectively. that composting of garbage and other waste materials Data pertaining to the nutrient content of seedlings will improve nutrient availability. Jeyabaskaran (1995) has reveal that maximum content of nitrogen (3.74%) at the reported that in the case of sunflower and soybean, end of the study period was recorded by treatment T3 content of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sulphur

(soil: sand: cowdung) and was followed by treatment T12 increased with sludge application in the potting medium. (4 weeks decomposed garbage) which recorded 3.63 per This trend was pronounced in the present study also. cent (Table 5). Similar observations were reported by Increased concentration of nutrients in the seedlings

Table 5 : Effect of potting media on nutrient status (per cent) of seedlings Treatment No. Treatment details N% P% K% g h b T1 Soil 2.85 0.20 0.62 g h c T2 Soil:sand (1:1) 2.88 0.16 0.58 a a a T3 Soil:sand:cowdung (1:1:1) 3.74 0.37 0.76 g f a T4 Soil:fresh garbage (1:1) 2.84 0.23 0.70 e e c T5 Soil:2 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1) 3.15 0.24 0.41 d f dc T6 Soil:4 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1) 3.18 0.23 0.39 h f dc T7 Soil: sand:Fresh garbage (1:1) 2.72 0.23 0.39 d c dc T8 Soil:sand:2 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1:1) 3.12 0.26 0.39 c d d T9 Soil:sand:4 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1:1) 3.54 0.25 0.43 d c b T11 2 weeks decomposed garbage 3.12 0.26 0.62 b b c T12 4 weeks decomposed garbage 3.63 0.36 0.53 Prob 0.00 0.00 0.00 S.E.+ 0.05 0.01 0.01 Figures with the same alphabets do not differ significantly

Table 6 : Nutrient status of different potting media at the beginning and end of the study period Treatment N% P% K% Treatment details No. Initial Final Initial Final Initial Final bc abc bc bc cd h T1 Soil 0.28 0.66 0.06 0.27 0.16 0.21 e bc d f de h T2 Soi:sand (1:1) 0.23 0.63 0.04 0.22 0.15 0.20 a a a a a a T3 Soil:sand:cowdung (1:1) 0.32 0.72 0.09 0.35 0.19 0.47 d c cd f ab d T4 Soil:fresh garbage (1:1) 0.26 0.55 0.04 0.22 0.18 0.30 bc ab cd c e b T5 Soil:2 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1) 0.29 0.70 0.04 0.28 0.15 0.38 d abc b b bcd b T6 Soil:4 weeks decomposed garbage (1:1) 0.27 0.65 0.06 0.33 0.17 0.38 d d cd e ef ef T7 Soil:sand:fresh municipal garbage (1:1:1) 0.24 0.63 0.04 0.24 0.14 0.28 d ab cd c abc g T8 Soil:sand :2 weeks decomposed municipal garbage (1:1:1) 0.26 0.68 0.04 0.28 0.18 0.24 d ab d de abc de T9 Soil:sand:4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage (1:1:1) 0.25 0.65 0.03 0.25 0.18 0.30 cd ab b cd f c T11 2 weeks decomposed municipal garbage 0.27 0.66 0.07 0.26 0.13 0.32 bc a bc ab abc f T12 4 weeks decomposed municipal garbage 0.29 0.73 0.06 0.34 0.18 0.27 Prob 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0400 S.E.+ 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.03 Figures with the same alphabets do not differ significantly

[Internat. J. Plant Sci., July - Dec. 2009, 4 (2)] HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE 351 K. GOPIKUMAR grown in potting medium containing cowdung and have observed that application of garbage to soil improved decomposed garbage may be due to increased soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Pascal availability in those medium. (1999) has compared the efficiency of fresh and composted garbage for the improvement of soil quality Nutrient content of the potting media: and observed that the improvement was more evident in Analysis of the nutrient content of nitrogen, soils amended with composted garbage residues, in relation phosphorous and potassium in the various potting media to those amended with fresh residues. In the present study, used for the study showed that percentage of these nutrient minimum nitrogen and phosphorus content was recorded elements were slightly increased at the end of the study by treatment T4 (soil:fresh garbage) and minimum period compared to the beginning of the study (Table 6). potassium content by treatment T2 (soil:sand). In general, This trend was more pronounced in potting media treatments containing garbage and cowdung recorded a containing soil: sand: cowdung (T3) and four weeks slightly higher values of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium decomposed garbage (T12). The increased concentration content at the end of the study period as has been reported may be due to faster nutrient release from cowdung and by many other workers. decomposition of garbage. Rao and Shantharam (1995)

REFERENCES Adersh, M. (2001). Municipal garbage as a component of Khalilian, A. and Sullivan, M.J. (1997). Application of composted potting media for seedlings of selected forest tree solid waste in cotton production. In: Proc. of Beltwive species. M.Sc. (Forestry) Thesis, Kerala Agrl Cotton Conference, New Orleans,6-10 January. University, Vellanikkara. Pascal, J.A. (1999). Comparison of fresh and composted organic Davis, T.D., Haissig, B.H. and Sukhla, N. (1990). Adventitious waste in their efficacy for the improvement of arid soil root formation in cuttings. Tree Physiol., 6: 241-243. quality. Bioresour. Technol., 68: 255-256. Elliot, L., Cohran, V.L and Papendick, R.J. (1981). Wheat Radha, S. and Panigrahi, A.K. (1998). Toxic effect of solid waste residues and nitrogen placement effects on wheat of chlor-alkali factory on morphological and growth in a green house. Soil Sci., 131: 48-52. biochemical changes in a crop plant. J. Environ. Biol., 19: 333-339. Gopikumar, K. and Minichandran (2002). Effect of potting media containing waste on the nursery performance of Rao, K.J. and Shantaram, M.V. (1995). Effect of the application Ailanthus triphysa seedlings. My Forest., 38: 283- of garbage on the soil plant system. Agric. Rev., 16: 294. 105-116. Gopikumar, K. and Minichandran (2003). Final report of the Ritchie, G.A. (1982). Carbohydrate reserves and root growth project entitled Solid waste as a component of potting potential in Douglas fir seedlings before and after cold media for the seedlings of agroforestry tree specie, storage. Canadian J. Forest Res., 12: 905-912. submitted to ICAR. Ward,T.M Donnelly,J.R and Carl,C.M (1981) The effects of Hernandez, H. (1999). Experiences with the utilization of wastes containers and media on sugar maple seedlings in nursery potting mixtures and as field sol growth. Tree Plrs’. Notes, 32:15-17. amendments. Canadian J. Plant Sci., 79: 139-148. Wireland, R.G. (1985). Native Legumes in South Western Jeyabaskaran, K.J. (1995). Studies on nutrient mobility in soils Somalia. N.F.T.R. Report, 3 : 39-41. due to continuous sewage irrigation and effect of sludge application on dry matter production and chemical composition of certain crops. Ph.D. Thesis, ******* Tamil Nadu Agrl. University, Coimbatore. *****

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