Effect of different compost concentrations on the growth yield of <i>Bombax Ceiba</i> (Simal)

Abstract

<i>Bombax ceiba</i> is an important agroforestry tree species widely distributed throughout the world. It has been extensively grown and planted for eras in hot and dry regions and high humidity zones of southern Asia. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the growth response of <i>B. ceiba</i> in response to different compost treatments. Different morphological traits (plant height, stem height, root length) and biomass (shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight and root/shoot ratio) were measured. Two experiments (pot experiment = seedlings) and (field experiment = saplings) were conducted simultaneously. Different compost treatments: (T<sub>0</sub>) = (Compost 0% + Soil 0%), (T<sub>1</sub>) = (Compost 25% + Soil 75%), (T<sub>2</sub>) = (Compost 50% + Soil 50%), (T<sub>3</sub>) = (Compost 75% + Soil 25%), (T<sub>4</sub>) = (Compost 100% + Soil 0%) were applied in the growing media. Results demonstrated that plant growth increased with the increment in compost application. In the pot experiment, <i>B. ceiba</i> exhibited its better growth under 75% of compost application, whereas in the field experiment, 100% compost was helpful for the best production of <i>B. ceiba</i>. Overall, positive effects of compost were observed for the growth of <i>B. ceiba</i>. The plant growth was increased greatly in response to the better content of organic fertilizer, and it was determined that compost enhances soil fertility. It should be implemented as organic fertilizer in agroforestry operations for optimizing plant growth and yield.