Performance of Melia composita Willd. Seedling in Root Trainers under Two Different Growing Conditions

Abstract

Melia composita Willd. syn M. dubia Cav. commonly known as Bakayan is a fast growing tree occurring in tropical forests and commercially valued for its multifarious uses. Present investigation was conducted to assess the performance of Melia composita Willd. seedling in two growing environments viz. nursery under tree shade and agro net shade house. Five different types of containers viz., root trainers of size 150 carrying capacity (cc), 200cc, 250 cc, 300cc and poly bags (17x13cm) were used to grow seedlings in comparison to bed grown seedlings. The seedling growth parameters such as, plant height, collar diameter, root length, total fresh/dry weight and root: shoot ratio was recorded for each treatment. Presently, significant interaction among container type, size and growing environment has been observed. Plants attained maximum height, collar diameter, root length, fresh and dry biomass and dry root/shoot ratio under agro net house environment. Total plant biomass was recorded maximum in bed nursery but the root: shoot ratio and sturdiness quotient were least.  Root: shoot ratio on dry weight basis and sturdiness quotient was recorded maximum in 300cc root trainer.