Response of Raphia (Raphia Hookeri) Palm Seedlings to Fertilizer Application

Abstract

The effect of four rates of NPKMg fertilizer on the growth parameters of raphia palm (Raphia hookeri) was studied in the nursery for a period of 12 months. The four rates of fertilizer used per raphia seedling were 0; 14g; 28g; and 42g NPKMg and they were laid out in the field as Randomized Complete Block Design in four replicates. Results obtained showed that the use of fertilizers in raphia seedling production was of immense benefit to the palm as it significantly enhanced the vigorous and healthy growth of the palm as shown by macronutrient uptake and other growth parameters in fertilized plots.

Key words: Nursery, fertilizer application, Raphia hookeri seedling, dry matter yield.