Abstract
A field experiment was carried out to determine the growth response of Eucalyptus torelliana F. Muell. to organic manure and potting media. The experiment was conducted within the Nursery site of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management Nasarawa State University Lafia. Sampled seedlings were systematically numbered and tagged for easy identification and enumeration, the experiment was laid out in a 4×2×5 factorial experiment in a randomized completely block design (RCBD). Analysis of variance was used to show the comparative performance of each the treatment and Duncan multiple range test (DMRT) to locate where the significant differences occur among the means. The plant variables assessed are; collar girth, plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width and leaf area. The result of growth with respect to treatment revealed that poultry dropping performed better with mean value of 31.26±8.78 in plant height, 2.02±0.99 in collar girth, 10.42±2.38 leaf count, 7.04±0.91, in leaf length 4.26±0.88 in leaf width and 30.68±9.30 for leaf area. It was further revelled that big size polythene pot (16 by 10cm) with mean value (plant height 29.86±9.51, collar girth 2.05±1.14, leaf count 10.26±2.82, leaf length 7.25±1.32, leaf width 4.56±0.92 and leaf area 33.99±11.36) recorded the highest and best germination. It is recommended that big size pot and poultry droppings should be adopted in raising Eucalyptus torelliana F. Muell.
Highlights
Top soil was collected from the Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa state University teaching and research farm after which the polythene pots were filled with the mixed soil. (Two full head pan of organic manure i.e. poultry droppings, cow dung and one full head pan each for poultry dropping + cow dung mixed with four head pan of top soil which is ratio 2: 4) 2.3
This result corroborates Geply et al in a study carried out effect of different pot sizes and growth media on the agronomic performance of Jatropha curcas. He reported that when Jatropha in a big pot performed better in terms of height than when it was in a small pot [11]. This agrees with the findings of Hopkins and White who reported that large polythene pot had higher level of significance on the early growth Pakia biglobosa compared to small polythene pot
On the basis of result obtained from this study, it is concluded that potting media and organic manure significantly influenced the germination, growth and development of Eucalyptus torelliana seedlings
Summary
It is a large genus of aromatic trees far known to be indigenous to Australia, Tasmania and the neighbouring islands but today can be found growing in subtropical regions of the world [1]. The leaves has a simple, leathery, variable but usually ovate, wavy margin, green above or with a pink tint, generally pubescent when young and with a wider leaf than other Eucalyptus [2]. It possesses attractive flowers with large creamy white clusters and numerous with valves well below rim of the fruit.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
