Critical values of alternative organic amendments on kiwi seedling growth

Abstract

The present research was conducted to explore the impact of alternative organic amendments on physicochemical properties of soil and their critical value for kiwi seedlings growth. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with 3 replications and 20 seedlings per replication. The highest pH (8.0) was recorded in T3 (compost + silt) and the highest electrical conductivity (EC) of 5.91 dS/ m, organic matter (24.11%), organic carbon (13.99%), organic nitrogen (1.51%) were recorded in T8 (compost + peat moss (PM) + leaf manure) and the highest soil porosity (SP) (45.95%) and lowest bulk density (0.67) were recorded in T4 (PM + garden soil (GS)). EC higher than 1.99 and SP (45.95%) were found critical and adversely affected seedling survival. The highest plant height (103 and 93 cm), number of leaves (23 and 20), number of first-order lateral roots (NFLRM) (9 and 8.5), whole seedling fresh mass (75 and 72 g), fresh root mass (FRM) (35 and 35 g), shoot fresh mass (46 and 40 g), root collar diameter (RCD) (13 and 12 mm), and shoot diameter (10 and 9 mm) were recorded in T5 (compost + GS) and T7 (compost + PM + GS). Strong and positive correlations were observed among NFLRP, RFM, and RCD (R 2 = 0.89 and 0.96) and all the above-ground seedling traits (R 2 = 0.86-0.98). It is concluded that compost is a good soil amendment for producing good quality graftable kiwi seedlings and evaluation of seedling root system architecture could be used to predict the potential and success of seedlings in the field.

Application of Organic Amendments to Cadmium-contaminated Soils for Phytostabilization Potential by Dicotyledonous Bioenergy Crops

“…This indicated that the soils had excessively high salt levels, which could affect plant growth 18 . Organic amendments can raise EC contents to dangerously high levels, making it vital to maintain a note of any changes in plant symptoms that can alter the survival rates of the study plants 19 . When compared with C0 soil, the addition of various organic amendments resulted in an increase in OM of 1.3 to 1.5 times.…”

Genetic Variability, Heritability, Genetic Advance and Association of Agronomic Traits of Early Flushing Tea (Camellia sinensis L) Clones at the Nursery Stage

“…They concluded that the correlation between RSA and seedlings growth may be due to the important role of RSA in providing nutrients, water, and physical support to the plants. Khan et al (2018) also reported strong and positive correlation between NLRP, root fresh mass and root callus diameter and above ground seedling growth parameter in their experiment on kiwi seedlings. They concluded that increase in aerial part of kiwi seedlings is due to the formation of strong root system and suggested that NLRP and total root size of seedlings are one of the best predictors for assessing quality nursery seedlings.…”

“…The data in Table 3 indicates that tea clone BP 2 -2 had the longest main root length (MRL) of 35.10 cm, the thickest root diameter (RD) of 11.57 mm, the highest number of lateral roots per plant (NLRP) of 7.67 and highest dry root weight per plant (DRW) of 11.57 grams followed by clones AP 8 -5 and BP 9 -2 with MRL of 31.33 and 30.33, clone AP 8 -3 with RD of 11.40 mm, clone BP 1 -4 with NLRP of 6.83 per plant and clone AP 8 -3 with DRW of 11.40 grams per plant which were statistically at par with clone BP 2 -2 as against the shortest MRL of 22.0 cm, thinnest RD of 2.72 mm, the minimum NLRP of 3.0 and minimum DRW of 2.72 grams per plant recorded in clone BP 2 -4 (Table 3). Plant root systems performs various essential functions such as support of a plant body, uptake of water and nutrition, storage of nitrogen components and carbohydrates, biosynthesis of hormones Khan et al, 2018). Therefore, proper growth and functions of roots are vital to the maintenance of vigorous growth of plants and to increase yield and improve the quality in tea crop (Masataka, 1994).…”

“…Root thickness/ root diameter is an important factor that influences the root system architecture of the plant. Therefore, it plays vital role in functioning the root system and anchoring and supporting the plant into the soil (Khan et al, 2018). Variation in root thickness is influenced by inherent capabilities of tea clones as well as by nutritional, climatic and hormonal factors (Anon, 1989).…”

“…Variation in root thickness is influenced by inherent capabilities of tea clones as well as by nutritional, climatic and hormonal factors (Anon, 1989). Number of later roots per plant is a good indicator of plant growth and morphology of root system architecture (RSA) and its physiological study may provide more consistent prediction of seedlings potential and their better establishment in the open field (Khan et al, 2018). The difference in lateral roots number in different tea clones may be due to the genetic variation in the endogenous auxin production capacity of the tea clones.…”