Comparative effect of Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. and Gliricidia sepium(Jacq.) charcoal powders on the growth of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Benth seedlings

Abstract

The high cost of purchasing inorganic fertilizer and its impacts on the soil and the environment remains a major concern in environmental management. Consequently, there is the need to explore other ways to enhance soil fertility. The study investigated the effects of Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. and Gliricidia sepium (Jacq) charcoal powders on the growth of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq). Benth seedlings. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 13 treatments and 9 replicates each. Seeds were sowed directly into polyethene pots while the various treatments were added a week after sowing seeds. Watering was done daily while weeding was done periodically. Growth parameters of seedling height (cm), stem diameter (mm) and leaf count were assessed weekly for 16weeks. Data collected was subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 5% level of significance while the means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The result obtained showed that 15g of Gliricidia sepium charcoal powder + 2kg of topsoil) performed best in height and leaf production with values of 15.85cm and 20.58 respectively.5g of Bambusa vulgaris charcoal powder + 2kg of topsoil) performed best with the value of 0.41mm for stem diameter.2kg of topsoil had the least performance for all parameter assessed. The ANOVA result showed that there was significant difference at P>0.5 among the treatments at 5% level of probability in terms of plant height, stem diameter, leaf production. The study concludes that the addition of charcoalas soil additive enhanced growth of Parkia biglobosa seedling at nursery stage.