EFFECT OF NURSERY FERTILIZATION ON <em>CASSIA</em> <em>SIAMEA</em> SEEDLING GROWTH AND ITS IMPACT ON EARLY FIELD PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Nitrogen, phosphorus and potash fertilizers in eight treatment combinations, including an unfertilized control treatment were given to Cassia siamea seedlings in the nursery. Changes in the growth attributes of the seedlings due to fertilizer application and its impact on early field performance after transplantation were studied. Nitrogenous fertilizer application had positive effect on the growth attributes. Application of phosphorus or potash either separately or in conjunction did not show any significant effect on seedling growth and biomass production. However, these fertilizers in combination with N fertilizer evoked a positive response in seedling growth, biomass production and relative growth rate (RGR) during the initial growth. Fertilization of Cassiasiamea using nitrogenous fertilizer in all combinations under nursery conditions had a major impact on subsequent growth in the field.