RESPONSE OF NEEM (Azadirachta indica) SEEDLINGS GROWN IN SANDY SOIL TO THE APPLICATION OF FILTER MUD AND SOME MICRONUTRIENTS

Abstract

The present work was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2018. and 2019 to assessment the influence of filter mud as organic manure and some micronutrients, as well as, their interactions on plant growth traits and chemical constituents of neem (Azadirachta indica) seedlings. Filter mud was applied to the soil of neem seedlings at the levels of 0, 30, 60 and 90 g/ seedling. Micronutrients applied namely, zinc (Zn) as ZnSo4.7H2o and manganese (Mn) as MnS04.H2o. The seedlings were sprayed with these nutrients as follows: control (0), 50 ppm Zn, 100 ppm Zn, 50 ppm Mn, 100 ppm Mn, 50 ppm Zn + 50 ppm Mn and 100 ppm Zn + 100 ppm Mn. The obtained results showed that the use of filter mud at all levels resulted a significant increase in stem length, stem diameter, leaves dry weight seedling, stem dry weight seedling and the three examined elements of N, P and K% in the dried leaves, except for the low level of filter mud (30 g/ seedling) regarding stem diameter in both seasons and also stem dry weight, in the first season. Clearly, applying the high level of filter mud (90 g/ seedling) gave the highest values of these previous traits. Obviously, foliar spray with Zn or Mn either single or together led of significant augment in above mentioned parameters, except for Zn at 50 ppm for both stem length and stem diameter, in the first season, as well as, 50 ppm Mn for leaves dry weight, in the first season and 50 ppm Mn for stem dry weight, in the second one. The highest values of the studied traits were detected by 100 ppm Zn + 100 Mn. The listed data indicated that the interaction effect was significant on all examined characteristics. Apparently, most combined treatments significantly augmented all tested aspects. Obviously, supplying the seedlings with filter mud at the high level (90 g/ seedling) plus foliar spray with 100 ppm Zn + 100 ppm Mn achieved the highest values of the studied traits.