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Effect of Npk Fertilizers on Seedling Growth of Mangrove Species

Md. Abdul Quddus Miah
Plantation Trial Unit Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Barishal-8207, Bangladesh.

Md. Golam Moula
Plantation Trial Unit Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Barishal-8207, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilizers on seedling growth and survival of Heritiera fomes (sundri), Xylocarpus mekongensis (passur), Excoecaria agallocha (gewa), Ceriops decandra (goran) and Avicennia officinalis (baen) mangrove species of Bangladesh for nine months. Seedlings were raised in the nursery using plastic pots. NPK fertilizers with three treatments (control, 4 gm and 8 gm doses) were used two times when seedlings age was 3 and 6 months. The result showed that seedlings height growth of Excoecaria agallocha was enhanced significantly with the application of NPK fertilizers but it was shown negatively significant effect on height growth of Xylocarpus mekongensis after second time fertilizer application. Moreover, NPK application enhanced mortality of Avicennia officinalis and Ceriops decandra seedlings in both times of fertilizer application. But no effect of NPK fertilizers on seedlings growth and survival of Heritiera fomes were observed.

Keywords: NPK, Mangrove, Excoecaria agallocha, Xylocarpus mekongensis, Fertilizer effect

Location: Plantation Trial Unit Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Barishal-8207, Bangladesh.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Plant, Fertilizer

Objectives:

The present study was undertaken to understand the growth characteristics and effect of fertilization on survival and growth performance of some mangrove species at earlier stage.

Methodology:

Five commercially important mangrove species such as H. fomes(sundri), X. mekongensis(passur), E. agallocha(gewa), Ceriops decandra(goran) and A. officinalis(baen) were chosen for this study due to their multipurpose values. Heritiera fomes(sundri)It has limited distribution and is restricted to the mangroves of Myanmar, Bangladesh and Indian Sundarbans (Kostermans 1959). It is common in less and moderately saline zones of the Sundarbans. It is a small to moderate size evergreen tree with buttressed stem and pneumatophores. It is generally 15-20m tall in the north-eastern part and reducing 5-10m in the south-eastern part of the Sundarbans. Wood is used for bridge and house construction, boat building, electric poles, paneling and furniture. Xylocarpus mekongensis(passur)Occurs in Asia, Oceania and East Africa. In Bangladesh it is found in the northern part of the Sundarbans. It is moderate size tree attaining height of about 15 m. It is a highly valuable timber species. Wood is used as posts, poles, beams and for making musical instruments and high grade furniture. Excoecaria agallocha(gewa). This species occurs in Asia and Oceania. In Bangladesh, the species is found in the Sundarbans and in the coastal plantations. It is a small to medium size evergreen tree. The tree is normally 10 m in height but occasionally grows up to 15m in the north-eastern part of the Sundarbans. Wood is used for making papers, packing boxes, matches and fuel wood. Ceriops decandra(goran). It is found in Asia and the Pacific. It is the dominant species in the strongly saline zone of the Sundarbans. It is a large shrub to small evergreen tree attaining about 4-15m in height. Wood is used as fuelwood with high calorific value. It is also used as house posts and fencing materials. Avicennia officinal is(baen). The species is found in Asia and the Pacific. In Bangladesh, it is found in the Sundarbans and in the coastal plantations. It is a big tree, attaining heights of 10-15m. Wood of this species is used for construction, rough walling of houses, furniture accessories, rice pounders and tool handles. Logs and branches are used as fuelwood and as anchors. A nursery trial was conducted in 2012 at the Plantation Trial Unit Division of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Barishal to observe the effect of different dosages of NPK fertilizers (nitrogene as a urea, phosohate as a tripple super phosphate and potassium as potash) on growth performance of seedlings of these five mangrove species. The seedlings were raised in plastic containers of size 22.86 cm in length and 12.42 cm in diameter having 8 numbers of pores on sides and bottom. The pots were filled with powdered loamy soil and decomposed cowdung mixture at a ratio of 5:1. Seeds/ propagules of these species were collected from the Rangabali island of Patuakhali districtin early June to mid-August. Twenty pots were used for each replication for each species with three treatments. So, totals of 180 pots (20x 3 replication x 3 treatments) for each species were used and thus a total of (180 x 5 species) 900 pots for raising seedlings for 5 mangrove species. Seeds/ propagules were sown in the pot to ensure raising of one seedling in each pot. NPK Fertilizers namely Urea, TSP and MP were used at a ratio of 1:2:1. Three treatments were control (no fertilizer), 4gm and 8 gm mixed NPK fertilizers. NPK fertilizers were applied first time when seedlings were 3 months old and it was applied second time when seedlings were 6 months old. Nursery beds were maintained by regular watering, weeding etc. Data on seedlings survival and height growth were recorded two times when seedlings age was 6 and 9 months respectively. Data were computed and analyzed using MINITAB statistical package developed at the Pennsylvania State University, USA during 1972.

Source of Information: Biosci. Agric. Res. 20(01): 1687-1693

Article Link (Online Journal): https://doi.org/10.18801/jbar.200119.205

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The significant height growth response was found for Excoecaria agallocha seedlings and negative response for Xylocarpus mekongensis seedlings at nursery stage. The present study recommended that Excoecaria agallocha considered to 4 gm NPK fertilizer application at nursery stage. The NPK fertilizers enhance mortality of Avicennia officinalis and Ceriops decandra. Further intensive research on the effect of N, P and K fertilizers separately and NPK mixture in newly established mangrove plantations should be carried out.

Knowledge Management: Journal