ISSN 2375-1134
African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 7 (10), pp. 001-008, October, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on early growth characteristics of Khaya ivorensis Chev (African mahogany) in nursery
Focho Derek Afa1*, Eneke Bechem2, Egbe Andrew2, Fongod Augustina Genla2, Fonge Beatrice Ambo2 and Njoh Roland Ndah2
1Department of Plant Biology, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 67 Dschang, Cameroon.
2Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, University of Buea, P. O. Box 63 Buea, Cameroon.
Accepted 09 September, 2020
Abstract
The effects of two inorganic fertilizers (urea and super phosphate simple) and organic manure (fowl droppings) on the early growth of seedlings of Khaya ivorensis in nursery were investigated using ten nutrient treatments, nine of which were nutrient combinations and one, a negative control. Urea was added at 0.75 and 112.50 mg while super phosphate simple (SPS) was added at 0.30 and 60 mg. Changes in plant height, leaf number, collar diameter and leaf area were evaluated fortnightly for 120 days. Total biomass was evaluated at the end of the experiment. All growth parameters improved with nutrient addition with the differences being significant in most cases at P=0.05. The highest seedling height (15.20 cm), leaf number (9), collar diameter (3.7 mm), leaf area (115.5 cm2), and biomass (19.3 g) were recorded when 75 mg urea and 60 mg SPS were added to seedlings. Results obtained suggest that the treatment combination N1P1 addition is necessary to boost the growth of this plant in nursery.
Key words: Khaya ivorensis, growth characteristics, fertilizers, mahogany.