EFFECTS OF TYPES OF (ORGANIC AND INORGANIC) FERTILIZER AND QUANTITIES ON THE EARLY GROWTH OF ALBIZIA ZYGIA SEEDLINGS

Production of healthy seedlings within good time frame is of important in silviculture and forestry in general.  This study investigated effect of type of fertilizers (organic manure and NPK (15:15:15) and their quantities (10g, 20g, 30g and control) on early growth of Albiziazygia seedlings. Two weeks old seedlings were transplanted into fertilized ploy pots and watered every other day. Growth parameters measured and data was recorded on leaf number, collar diameter, plant height, root to shoot length ratio, root to shoot weight ratio, fresh weight, dry weight, turgid weight and relative water content. Experiment was subjected to 2*4 factorial in complete randomized design (CRD) and Least Significant Difference (LSD) was used to compare significant means. The Analysis of variance results showed that fertilizers types and quantities had significant effect (p<0.05) on some of the parameters. Organic manure significantly increased (p<0.05) all parameters except length ratio and relative water content of the seedlings. The 10g showed significant effect on Leaf number (14.70), Plant height, root weight, shoot weight, fresh weight and turgid weight were significant with 20g of fertilizer while 30g had effect on collar diameter, shoot length and dry weight of the seedlings. Root length and dry weight were significantly higher (p<0.05) to the interaction of 20g of organic manure. Soil amendment with 20g of organic manure had the most significant effect on most of the growth parameters of the seedlings and should be encouraged for the purpose of afforestation programs .