Early Growth Response of Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) Seedlings to Ranging Levels of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on an Alfisol

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the early growth response of Morinda citrifolia to varying levels of Aleshinloye compost and N:P:K 15:15:15 in a degraded Alfisol in a tropical Nigerian environmental condition. Study Design: The study was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with twelve (12) treatments replicated six (6) times with a total of seventy two (72) experimental units. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the greenhouse of Soil and tree Nutrition department of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria Ibadan (FRIN) and it lasted for a period of 6 month. Methodology: Degraded top soil used for the experiment was collected within FRIN arboretum. The soil was air dried and passed through a 2 mm diameter sieve before being filled into polythene pots of 15 cm x 20 cm dimension having a 3 kg soil capacity. The organic fertilizer was applied at 4 weeks before transplanting while the inorganic fertilizer was applied at 2 weeks after transplanting and pre-germinated seedlings of Noni were transplanted at four leaves stage. The data collected include Stem Girth (mm), plant height (cm) and Number of leaves starting from 30 Days After Transplanting (DAT). Results: The result revealed that the soil sample used for this study had pH value of 6.06 and the total N value of 0.11%. Noni plant with treatment T11 (N:P:K 15:15:15 at 80 Kg Nha-1 + Aleshiloye compost (AC) at 80 Kg Nha-1) had the highest plant height  values of 48.17, 65.67 and 77.87 cm respectively which are significantly higher (P = .05) than  T1 (control) with 37.17, 47.50 and 55.33 cm respectively that are the least values observed from 120 DAT to 180 DAT. The Plant Dry Matter (PDM) for leaves, stem and root (3.593, 2.720 and 4.220 g/plant) respectively from the control (T1) plant was the least when compared to every other treatment in the study. Conclusion: The use of composted manure in combination with N:P:K 15:15:15 ensured early and continuous supply of nutrient with resultant higher growth performance of Noni over a period of six months as shown in the study.