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Effects of Inorganic Fertilizers on Biological Nitrogen Fixation and Seedling Growth of Some Agroforestry Trees in Bangladesh

Mohammad Belal Uddin
Dep. of For. and Env. Sci, School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh

Mohammed Abu Sayed Arfin Khan
Dep. of For. and Env. Sci, School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh

Sharif Ahmed Mukul
Dep. of For. and Env. Sci, School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh

Mohammed Kamal Hossain
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The effects of different inorganic fertilizers (Urea and Triple Super Phosphate (TSP)) on seedling growth and nodulation capabilities of four agroforestry tree species (Albizia chinensis, A. saman, Acacia nilotica and Sesbania sesban) were compared. The nodulation of these seedlings were treated with different fertilizer treatments (at the rate of urea 40 kghm-2, urea 80 kghm-2, TSP 40 kghm-2, TSP 80 kghm-2, (urea+TSP) 40 kghm-2-and (urea+TSP) 80 kghm-2) after one month of seed germination. The results revealed that the seedling growth was enhanced significantly with moderate fertilizer treatment. In some cases, the higher levels of fertilizers reduced the seedling growth. The study also revealed that the nodulation in nodule number and size was significantly inhibited by the application of N fertilizer (Urea), while it was increased significantly with the application of P fertilizer (TSP). This study improved our understanding and provided insights that would be useful to the farmers in their efforts to amend the soil with inorganic fertilizers in order to enhance plant growth and biological nitrogen fixation.

Keywords: Inorganic fertilizer; Urea; Triple Super Phosphate (TSP); Agroforestry; Albizia chinensis; A. saman; Acacia nilotica; Sesbania sesban

Location:

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Fertilizer

Objectives:

The present study intended to report the effects of N and P fertilizer on seedling growth and nodulation capabilities of Albizia chinensis, A. saman, Acacia nilotica, and S. sesban in nursery condition.

Methodology:

The entire experiment was carried out in nursery polybag (6 inch×4 inch in size) with mean monthly maximum temperature of 29.75 ºC and a minimum temperature of 21.14 ºC. In the area, an average annual rainfall of 2500−3000 mm mostly takes place from June to September. Polybags were filled with soil of similar composition containing forest top soil and sand in a ratio of 1:1. Six-month-old seedlings of four potential agroforestry leguminous tree species, i.e. A. chinensis, A. saman, A. nilotica and S. sesban, were used as receptor species for the experiment. Seedlings were collected from the nursery, maintaining their phenotypical uniformity as far as possible. Urea with 46% of nitrogen and; TSP (Triple Super Phosphate) with 48% of P2O5 were applied as treatment at each polybag [(@ 40kghm² in level 1 and @ 80 kghm² in level. No fertilizer was used in the controls. Fertilizers were applied after 5 weeks of seed germination, when the seedlings were established. The experiment has the following treatments; T0: no Fertilizer (Control); T1: urea 40 kghm-2 per polybag; T2: urea 80 kghm-2 per polybag; T3: TSP 40kghm-2 per polybag; T4: TSP 80kghm-2 per polybag; T5: urea 40kghm-2 + TSP 40kghm-2 per polybag; T6: urea 80kghm-2 +TSP 80kghm-2 per polybag. A randomized complete block design with four replicates was adopted for this study. Each species was subjected to seven different treatments. In total of 280 polybag seedlings (70 seedlings of each species) were used in the experiment, involving seven treatments and four species combinations. The seedlings were allowed to grow altogether for three months from the time of seed sowing. Final harvesting was done after two months of fertilizer application. And seedlings from each treatment were measured for physical parameters. The recorded parameters were as follows: shoot and root length, collar diameter, root diameter, number of nodules and their size, relative elongation ratio of shoot to root length, etc. The recorded data were calculated by a single factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) for significant differences between treatment means and then compared with the control treatment using Dun-can's multiple range test (DMRT). Relative ratios (shoot length and root length) were calculated as suggested by Rho et al. (1986): R= Mt/Mc×100 (1) where, R is the relative ratios, Mt theMean data of tested plant, and Mc is the mean data of control.

Source of Information: Journal of Forestry Research (2008) 19(4):303–306

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI 10.1007/s11676-008-0054-z

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

P fertilizers had positive effect on the nodulation of agroforestry tree seedlings. Results showed that nodulation was significantly increased in both levels of phosphorous fertilizations in comparison to the control (without P fertilizer). Similar findings were reported by Munns (1997), Adu-Gyamfi et al. (1989) and Jasper et al. (1989), who found that growth and nitrogen fixation were increased in Acacia mangium with P fertilizer application.

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