Effect of growing media, nursery beds and containers on seed germination and seedling establishment of Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb., a multipurpose tree.

摘要

Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. (Vern. Behra, family Combretaceae) is found throughout the sub-Himalayan tract and is an important medicinal plant. A study was undertaken to determine the optimum conditions for germination and seedling growth of T. bellirica by using four different manures mixed with soil viz. celrich (bio-organic soil enricher), farmyard manure (FYM), goat and poultry manures, three types of nursery beds viz. sunken, flat and raised, three types of containers (having different volumes) and three types of soil viz. silt loam, sandy loam and sandy. Seedlings raised in different treatments in nursery for 12 months were planted in field to assess field growth. Experiments revealed maximum seed germination percent in the FYM and minimum in the poultry manure treatment. Maximum germination percent was recorded in sunken beds as compared to flat and raised nursery beds. Among different types of containers, 4000 ml-plastic pots showed maximum germination whereas the minimum was recorded in 350 ml-root trainers and 1600 ml-polybags. Survival percent was higher for seedlings raised in FYM, sunken beds, silt loam soil and 4000 ml-plastic pots compared to other treatments. The best combination for optimum germination and growth in nursery for T. bellirica was silt loam soil+FYM+sunken beds or 4000 ml-plastic pots. After 12 months of growth, height was greater in seedlings raised in soil mixed with FYM, sunken beds, silt loam soil and 4000 ml-plastic pots as compared to other treatments. Compared to other treatments collar diameter was higher in seedlings raised in goat manure, sunken bed, and silt loam soil and root trainer. Survival percent under field conditions was higher in seedlings raised in FYM and Celrich (bio-organic soil enricher) compared to other treatments (goat and poultry manures), whereas maximum height and collar diameter were recorded in seedlings raised in plastic pots.