Standardization of potting media and nutrition protocol for raising acid lime seedling in containerized nursery

Abstract

The study was carried out on acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia) to investigate nutritional requirements vis-avis potting media i.e. potting mixture and cocopeat in primary and secondary protected citrus nursery with regard to nutrient availability and growth behaviour to shorten time required for production of seedlings. Three types of potting media viz., potting mixture (PM), sole cocopeat (CP) and mixture of PM and CP were used. Nutrient application treatments (NPK in g) for primary nursery were 60+25+25, 40+25+25 and 20+10+10, and for secondary nursery were 10+5+5, 8+4+4, 6+3+3, 4+2+2 and control. The results revealed that in primary nursery, seedling emergence and survival was maximum in PM + CP mixture. Plant height and leaf chlorophyll content was highest with the application of 40+20+20 in PM + CP media while number of leaves were highest in 20+10+10 g NPK in the same media. The highest dry weight of all the plant parts was obtained in PM + 20+10+10 g NPK. Extreme variation in soil pH (4.27–7.12), electrical conductivity (0.46–2.06 dS/m), organic carbon (2.19 23.6%) as well as available N (180.6 - 1679.8 kg/ha), P (7.8 - 39.8 kg/ha) and K (1253.2 - 4894.5 kg/ha) was recorded under different treatments at the end of the experiment. In secondary nursery application of lowest dose of fertilizer i.e. 4+2+2 g NPK in PM + CP mixture recorded maximum plant height, number of leaves and chlorophyll content while stem girth was maximum in same dose applied with PM. Application of 4+2+2 g NPK in PM also had similar results without any plant mortality. Presented results showed that cocopeat, if cheaply available, can be used by mixing it with nursery potting mixture (50%) with supplementation of minimal dose of fertilizers for producing both types of nursery plants.