Effects of phosphorus and potassium addition on growth and nodulation of Dalbergia sissoo in the nursery

Abstract

A study was conducted to test the influence of different inorganic fertilizers (phosphorous and potassium) on the nodulation and growth of Dalbergia sissoo grown in the nursery. Before seeds sowing, different combinations of P, K fertilizers were incorporated with the nutrient-deficient natural forest soils, and then amended with cowdung (soil: cowdung = 3:1). Nodulation status (nodule number, shape, fresh weight, dry weight and color) in the roots and the plant growth parameters (length of shoot and root, collar diameter, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root) were recorded 60 days after seeds sowing. Nodulation status and growth of the plants varied significantly (P<0.05) in the soils amended with fertilizers in comparison to the control. The highest nodule number (62), fresh (0.50 g) and dry (0.07 g) weights were recorded with the dose of PK at the rate of 160 kg/hm2. Nodule shape and color also varied widely in different treatments. In case of plant growth parameters, shoot and root length, collar diameter, fresh and dry weight of the plants took on a significant difference (P<0.05) among various combination of fertilizers. From the study, it is revealed that PK at the rate of 160 kg/hm2 fertilizer with soil and cowdung mixture (soil: cowdung = 3:1) is recommended for optimum growth and nodule formation of D. sissoo in degraded soils at a nursery level.