Abstract
Neem is a multipurpose tree that is provides food and insecticide and is used for its great number of ethnomedicinal properties. Neem, known botanically as Azadirachta indica A. Juss is a member of the mahogany family (Meliaceae), and orders Geraniales, and is synonymous with Melia azadirachta Linn and Melia indica Brandis. Azandirachta indica originates from the arid and semi-arid areas of Burma and Northeast India. Neem is a large evergreen tree 12 to 20 meters tall and may reach a girth of 1.8 to 2.5 meters with a round, dense crown. The aim of this study was to determine appropriate pot size and growing medium for Azadirachta indica A. Juss seedlings, which will be used for successful plantation. For this purpose, polyethylene pots of 15 cm length and 8, 10 and 12 cm lay flats diameter were used. As growing medium, 5 different treatments were used, containing different ratios of top/local soil (TS), forest soil (FS), compost (Co) and sand soil (SS) collected from local, natural forest environments and highly decomposed compost (the different materials get from locally easily available). The experimental design was a Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replications under open field conditions of forestry nursery. Some morphological properties of the seedlings, such as seedling height and root collar diameter growth parameters were measured ever two weeks for four (4) months old seedlings. The finding of this experimental study revealed/showed that relatively higher growth recorded in GM2 and GM4 ratio of composite growing media (3/2 topsoil:2 compost:1 sand soil) composites soil mixed growing media with both 10 cm and 12 cm lay flat polythene pots (PS2 and PS3) should be utilized for raising Azandirachta indica (Neem) seedling to achieve the best seedlings quality. To obtain the best or optimum seedling quality were the interaction effects of growing media and appropriated containers (pot sizes) were important and basic than doing experiment separately. Knowing the best growing media was the major determinant to get the best quality seedlings at the nursery for successful plantation.
Highlights
Growing Containers (Pot Sizes) The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the mean measured height of Azadirachta indica seedling plants on PS2 (7.15 cm) was significantly different (p=0.025) from that observed on PS (5.67 cm)
Substrates (Growing Media) According to the analysis of variance which confirmed or shown that mean measured height of Azandirachta indica seedlings plants on media growth soil mixture ratio of GM2 was significantly different (p=0.004) from that observed on growing media soil mixture of GM5 was 5.53 cm and GM2 was significantly different (p=0.019) from that of growing media composite ratio of GM3 seedlings height as 6.00 cm and growing media mixture ratio of GM4 was 6.22 cm
The difference observed among other sources root collar diameter (RCD) measured parameter of variation were not statistically significant
Summary
Juss.) is a multipurpose tree that is provides food and insecticide and is used for its great number of ethno medicinal properties. Juss is a member of the mahogany family (Meliaceae), and orders Geraniales, and is synonymous with Melia azadirachta Linn and Melia indica Brandis. A. indica originates from the arid and semi-arid areas of Burma and Northeast India [1, 2]. Neem is a large evergreen tree 12 to 20 meters tall and may reach a girth of 1.8 to 2.5 meters with a round, dense crown. The trunk is straight with moderately thick bark. Compound, with 7 to 17 toothed leaflets that are alternate or opposite 6 to 7 cm long
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