IMPACT OF GROWTH MEDIA ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE OF ORNAMENTAL PALM SEEDLINGS

  • O. F. Sadiq Department of Vegetable and Floriculture, National Horticultural Research Institute, Idi-Isin, Jericho, Ibadan, Oyo State.
  • J. O Olaniyi Department of Crop Production and Soil Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
  • A. A Akinyemi Department of Crop Production and Soil Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
  • O.O. Ojo Department of Horticulture and Landscape Management, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu, Lagos State
  • C. R. Onarinde Department of Agriculture Education, Federal College of Education, Ekiti State
Keywords: Ornamental palm, growth, nutrient uptake, growth media

Abstract

The efficiency of nursery production of ornamental palms is largely dependent on the quality ofgrowth medium used during early establishment. This study evaluated the impact of different growth media on vegetative growth and nutrient uptake of ornamental palm seedlings under screenhouse conditions at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Six-month old golden palm seedlings were grown in three growth media: topsoil only (TS), topsoil + poultry manure (TSPM), and topsoil + sawdust (TSSD), arranged in a completely randomized design with six replications. Data on plant height, number of leaves, stem
girth, and nutrient uptake were collected and subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using SAS statistical software (2009) and treatment means separated by least significance difference at 5% probability level. Results showed that growth media significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced all vegetative growth parameters and nutrient uptake. Seedlings grown in TSPM consistently recorded the highest plant height (45.63 cm), stem girth (4.57 cm), leaf number, and nutrient uptake. TSSD produced moderate growth responses while Topsoil alone resulted in the lowest growth performance and nutrient uptake. The findings conclude that organic-enriched media, particularly topsoil amended with poultry manure, significantly enhance vegetative growth and nutrient acquisition in ornamental palm seedlings. The use of topsoil + poultry manure is therefore recommended for sustainable and cost-effective nursery production of ornamental palms in the study area

Published
2025-12-01
Issue
Vol 20 No 4 (2025): Volume 20, Issue 4, 2025
Section
Articles