EFFECTS OF FERTILISATION AND MYCORRHIZAL INOCULATION ON THE EARLY GROWTH OF SELECTED PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS FRUIT TREE SPECIES

Abstract

The global need for food security has sparked interest in the potential of our indigenous food systems, including indigenous fruits and other wild edible flora and fauna. However, majority of these indigenous food resources remain underutilised despite its potentially high nutritional and economic benefits. This is largely due to the inadequacy of technical and practical information regarding the availability, propagation, and overall utility of the species. In this regard, the present study investigated the early growth responses of three selected indigenous fruit tree species, namely, Kalumpit (Terminalia microcarpa), Libas (Spondias pinnata) and Tibig (Ficus nota) to fertilisation and mycorrhizal inoculation following a Completely Randomized Design with treatments being Control, 2.5-g complete fertiliser (14:14:14), MYKOVAM, and Fertilisation + MYKOVAM. After 24 weeks (6 months), it was found that the selected indigenous fruit tree species can grow equally well without fertiliser or mycorrhizal inoculation. However, when necessary, MYKOVAM can be a better option than complete fertiliser. Findings showed that S. pinnata and F. nota seedlings inoculated with MYKOVAM yielded higher height increments than the fertiliser group. MYKOVAM inoculated F.nota seedlings also yielded higher diameter growth and total biomass than those treated with fertiliser. No significant variation in root volume was recorded for all selected indigenous fruit tree species among all treatments. Early growth of T. microcarpa was not enhanced by any of the treatments. The study, therefore, revealed relevant information that could enhance the mass propagation of these species in support of food security.