The Effect of container type and size on growth and nutrient uptake in Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.

Abstract

The present study was conducted during the year 2020-21 with an aim to find the cheap reusable substitutes of environmentally harmful polythene bags which are most widely used for forest nursery production and to produce the bigger seedlings in shortest possible time for expediting large scale afforestation programmes. The experiment comprised of fifteen treatment combinations of five container types (plastic bottles, clay pots, plastic pots, polypropylene bags and polythene bags) and three container size (500 cm³, 1000 cm³ and 2000 cm³) established in factorial complete randomized design with three replications. Seedlings raised in large size polypropylene bags attained maximum plant height (143.27cm), collar diameter (10.53mm), number of branches (24.33), number of leaves (50.33), root length (93.90cm), number of roots (34), number of nodules (22), biomass production and nutrient (N, P and K) uptake nine months after sowing. The reusable material viz plastic bottles, plastic pots and clay pots can be used for producing plants to reduce dependency on single-use polythene bags in nurseries which will help in protection of environment.