Growth Medium and Soil Amendment Influence on Seedling Growth Responses of African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum)

Abstract

African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) classified as a forest food tree with economic potentials requires domestication attention for improved productivity. A study conducted in Abeokuta, Nigeria in 2017 using one year old C. albidum seedlings determined the plant’s growth responses when cultivated using different growth medium and soil amendment methods. The 3 x 9 factorial experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) at three replications. Three textural soil types (sandy, loamy and clayey soils) were evaluated using nine soil amendment methods (5, 10, 15t/ha poultry manure (PM) and 150, 250 and 500kg/ha NPK, and integrated amendment methods using 5t/ha PM+150kg/ha NPK and 10t/ha PM+150kg/ha NPK), and the un-amended plot as control. The results showed that plants in loamy and clayey soils had more leaves compared to those in sandy soil only at 74WAS. C. albidum had most numerous leaves with 150 kg/ha, taller plant and wider canopy with 250 kg/ha, and thicker girth with all NPK rates compared to control, manure rates and integrated fertilizers. The plants with loamy soil had highest CPC, Ash C, FC, starch and sugar. Plants with inorganic fertilizers and integrated fertilizers had higher FW and DW compared to manure rates. The 5 t/ha manure rate and the 250 kg/ha NPK produced plants with high sugar content and were lowest in starch content compared to other applied rates. In conclusion, C. albidum from juvenile to vegetative stage with proper management can be grown on the different soil types while the 150 kg/ha NPK fertilizer rate appeared as optimum for the plant growth.