Influence of Propagation Medium on the Growth and Development of Seedlings of Avocado (Persea Americana Mill.), Papaya (Carica papaya L.) and Guava (Psidiu11l Guajava L.).
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Date
2016
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of different mixes of growth media on
the growth and development of avocado, papaya and guava seedlings. It was undertaken in the
nursery site of the Center for Indigenous Trees Propagation and Biodiversity Development. The
study focused on addition of cattle manure and sand to topsoil. Six media mixes were prepared.
The ratio of these media mixes, as treatment was determined on volume bases using flowerpot.
Thus, treatments were: topsoil (Tl); topsoil, cattle manure & sand, 3:1:1(T2); topsoil, cattle
manure & sand, 2: 1 :1(T3); topsoil, cattle manure & sand, 1:1: 1 (T4); topsoil & sand, 1 :I(TS); and
topsoil and cattle manure, 1: 1 (T6) and studied in a complete randomized design with three
replications separately for avocado (Persea americana), papaya (Carica papaya) and guava
(Psidium guajava). The data on total shoot height and numbers of fully expanded leaves per plant
were collected starting from 7 weeks after germination up to IS weeks of growth in the nursery at
two weeks interval. Sample leaves were collected at the termination of the former two parameters
for the determination of leaf fi'esh and dry biomass. The data taken at the termination of the
measurement was used for analyses. The different media mixes did not significantly influence on
any parameter of avocado; while leaf number and leaf dry weight of papaya; and the leaf fresh
weight of guava seedlings were significantly influenced (p<O.OS). Therefore growth medium 3
(topsoil + cattle manure + sand, 2:1:1) v/v] gave significantly higher leaf number and leaf dry
weight than growth medium 6 (topsoil + cattle manure in equal ratio) on papaya seedlings.
Growth medium S (topsoil + sand in equal ratio) had significant influence on leaf fresh biomass
of guava seedlings than growth media I (topsoil). Media mixes influenced at least one growth
character of the seedling of papaya and guava. Generally the presence of sand in any propoliion
in all the three seedling species gave better performance than the media mixes without sand
mixture. All the seedling types were in a well growth performance till the termination of data
collection and h ad reached the p lantable size except for some seedlings of papaya and guava.
Thus, it is concluded that avocado, papaya and guava seedlings can grow in the vicinities of
Tulu-Korma. However it deserves detailed investigation on their further growth up to yield.
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Biology