Response of L. leucocephala L. (IpilIpil) to Different Soil Media and Phosphorus Fertilization

The research was conducted in shade house to investigate the effect of different soil media and phosphorus (P) fertilization in tubes on early growth of the Leucaenaleucocephala. Three growth media sandy medium (only sand), clayey medium (sand and clayey soil ratio; 1:1) and farm yard manure (FYM) medium (sand, clayey soil and FYM ratio; 1:1:1) were prepared. Each medium was fertilized with three rates of phosphorus, i.e., 0, 20, 40 mg P kg-1 medium. Nitrogen and potassium were also applied as basal dose @ 50 N and 100 mg K2O kg-1 media, respectively. The results indicated that shoot length (20 cm), root length (16 cm), shoot dry weight (947 mg plant-1) and root dry weight (134 mg plant-1) were the highest in FYM medium with 20 mg P kg-1. The P concentration in shoot and root, total P uptake and P recovery were also significantly improved when plants were grown in FYM medium supplied with 20 mg P kg-1. It is concluded from this study that L. leucocephalaseedling growth was improved with P application, particularly in FYM medium compared to clayey and sandy media. Further, the P level i.e. 20 mg P Kg -1 was found best among all P rates used. This shows the significance of P and FYM medium in improving growth for the best survival of L. leucocephala seedlings and its raising for plantation on large scale.