Early Growth Of Some Introduced Agroforestry Species In Akure, Nigeria: Influence Of Potting Container

Abstract

This study investigated the early growth performance of potted seedlings of Grevillea robusta, Dalbergia sissoo, Albizia lebbeck, Prosopis juliflora and Acacia mearnsii . Two types of potting containers were used - the conventional black polypot (size: 10 cm x 15 cm) and the transparent \"pure water\' bags (size: 14 cm x 15 cm ). Topsoil of known characteristics collected from Teaching and Research farm in the Federal University of Technology, Akure was used as the potting medium. Samples of 10 potted seedlings per container were randomly selected after 12 weeks of growth and the following parameters were measured: shoot height, tap root length, shoot dry weight, root dry weight and total plant dry weight. The results revealed that Prosopis juliflora exhibited the highest vigour with a total biomass of 3.99 g in 12 weeks while Grevillea robusta had the least (0.80 g). Type of potting container had no significant effect on seedling growth, indicating that used “pure water” bags can be re-used as alternative potting container for agroforestry seedlings.

Key Words: agroforestry, tree seedlings, potting container

Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.3(1&2) 2004: 41-44