Response of Vermicompost on Seedling Growth and Quality Parameters of Juniperus polycarpos C. Koch under Nursery Condition

Abstract

A trial was conducted to study the effect of different doses of vermicompost
on the seedling growth and quality parameters of Juniperus polycarpos under nursery
conditions. One year old seedlings of J. polycarpos raised in polybags filled with potting
media composed of soil, sand, and farmyard manure (2:1:1:) were externally given
different doses of vermicompost having six treatments to study their effect on seedling
growth and quality parameters. Significant differences were observed in shoot length,
collar diameter, root length, number of roots, root and shoot biomass of J. polycarpos
seedlings raised in different potting media. Maximum growth of various seedling
parameters viz., shoot length (26.28 cm), root length (37.48 cm), collar diameter (4.61 mm)
and number of roots (32.00) was recorded in treatment T 6 i.e. seedlings which were given
5 g vermicompost/seedling whereas minimum growth of various seedling parameters
was recorded in treatment T 1 i.e., control where no external dose of vermicompost was
applied. Maximum fresh shoot biomass (7.84 g seedling -1 ), fresh root biomass (2.83 g
seedling -1 ), total fresh biomass (10.67 g seedling -1 ), dry shoot biomass (4.73 g seedling -1 ),
dry root biomass (1.78 g seedling -1 ) and total dry biomass (6.51 g seedling -1 ) were also
recorded in treatment T 6 . The maximum value of various seedling quality parameters
viz., root shoot ratio (0.37), volume index (558.50), Quality index (0.77), and least value of
sturdy quotient (5.70) was also observed in seedlings that were given 5 g vermicompost/
seedling. The study recommended the application of vermicompost @ 5 g seedling -1 for
the production of quality planting stock of Juniperus polycarpos in the nursery.