Improvement on the Growth Performance of Parkia biglobosa Seedlings (African Locust Bean Tree) Using Inorganic Fertilizers.

Abstract

Parkia biglobosa (African locust bean tree) is one of the wild fruit trees in the savanna ecosystem and it is characterized with slow growth rate. The fruits are edible and very popular in western Nigeria and to some extent in other regions. Sequel to the slow growth rate of this plant, this study employed application of some inorganic fertilizers (Urea and N. P. K.) to possibly improve the growth rate of the seedlings of Parkia biglobosa. The design of the experiment is completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of three treatments and four replicates (treatment A: sandy loam + Parkia biglobosa seeds + N.P.K, B: sandy loam + Parkia biglobosa seeds + Urea and C: sandy loam + Parkia biglobosa seeds as control). The parameters investigated were seedlings’ emergence rates and percentages and morphological growth parameters (plant height, leaf count, number of branches, collar girth and leaf area). Inorganic fertilizer application commenced 6 weeks after seedling emergence. The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis of variance which revealed significant differences (P≤0.05) among the treatments. Treatment B had the highest mean values, followed by A and C was the least. Thus, Urea and N.P.K fertilizers could be employed in improving the growth rate of this important tree species. Keywords: Wild fruits, Parkia biglobosa, inorganic fertilizers, early growth rate, morphological, parameters.