EARLY GROWTH RESPONSE AND NUTRIENTS QUALITY OF FIG (Ficus carica L.) PLANTED ON BRIS SOIL EFFECTED BY CHICKEN MANURE AMENDMENTS

Fatin Munirah Azmi,Rozilawati Shahari,Nur Shuhada Tajudin,Che Nurul Aini Che Amri

doi:10.26480/jcleanwas.02.2020.61.65

Abstract

Allah S.W.T swears by the fig tree (Sura’ 95, al-Tin) in the holy Quran, for its values and practices. Recently, the fig tree (Ficus carica L.) has been introduced in Malaysia’s tropical weather as it grows well with maximum activity. Its root favors a well-drained type of soil, and since BRIS (Beach Ridges Interspersed with Swales) are dominated by sandy texture with proper water percolation, it has a high potential for fig planting. However, BRIS is known to have low nutrient holding capacity but can be improved with organic amendments. This study was carried out to determine the effects of various rates of chicken manure as amendments in improving the BRIS soil health for the growth of fig trees. The BRIS soil was amended with different rates of 10% (T2), 20% (T3), 30% (T4), and 50% (T5) of chicken manure and 0% (T1) as control. Three months old saplings were propagated through hardwood cuttings of variety BTM6 with five replications in each treatment. The growth response and nutrients quality of the fig trees were observed biweekly for three months after the transplant, and the nutrient contents of amended and non-amended showed significant differences at p<0.05. The survivability of the trees was 100%, and a significant difference was found between the treatments. BRIS soil with 40% chicken manure amendments (T4) showed superlative growth response with the highest number of branches, leaves, and fruits, thus provide higher yield production as compared to other treatments. From this study, BRIS soil that is known to be problematic can be improved with correct rates of organic amendments and can be used for fig cultivation.

Highlights

It is released from Abu al-Darda’ that when the Prophet S.A.W. was given as a present a tray of figs, he said: ‘Eat.’ And he ate from them and said: ‘If I were to say that any fruit descended from Paradise, I should say these
Fig (Ficus carica L.) is among the oldest fruits mainly grown in the Mediterranean region, and the fig tree is one of the thousands of Ficus species bearing edible fruits (Turk and Aksoy, 2011)
The application of chicken manure was found to help in retaining soil nutrients and reduces water loss through the process of evaporation for Beach ridges interspersed with swales (BRIS) soil (Ishaq et al 2013)

Summary

Introduction

It is released from Abu al-Darda’ that when the Prophet S.A.W. was given as a present a tray of figs, he said: ‘Eat.’ And he ate from them and said: ‘If I were to say that any fruit descended from Paradise, I should say these. Fig (Ficus carica L.) is among the oldest fruits mainly grown in the Mediterranean region, and the fig tree is one of the thousands of Ficus species bearing edible fruits (Turk and Aksoy, 2011). This plant needs warm and dry temperatures to be grown. The root system of fig is relatively shallow but extensive. It thrives well in most types of soil, but it performs the best in well-drained, heavy clays, rich loams, and light sandy soils (Patil and Patil, 2011)

Methods

Results

Conclusion