Evaluation of Growth Performance of Physic Nut (Jatropha curcas) Seedlings on Different Soils in the Northern Guinea Savanna Agrological Zone of Nigeria
A. I. Sodimu *
Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, P.M.B. 2273, Afaka-Kaduna, Nigeria.
G. L. Lapkat
Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, P.M.B. 2273, Afaka-Kaduna, Nigeria.
N. O. Oladele
Trial Afforestation Project, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Afaka-Kaduna, Nigeria.
O. Osunsina
Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, P.M.B. 2273, Afaka-Kaduna, Nigeria.
R. Suleiman
Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, P.M.B. 2273, Afaka-Kaduna, Nigeria.
T. A. Awobona
Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, P.M.B. 2273, Afaka-Kaduna, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The preliminary study was carried out to evaluate the growth performance of Jatropha curcas seedlings on different soils at the nursery of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization Afaka, Kaduna. Farm land soil, forest soil and granulated iron stone soil were sourced within the college premises and FRIN/JICA plantation. Jatropha curcas seedlings were sown on the different soils and each was replicated eight (8) times. The experiment was laid out in Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Growth parameters were collected forth nightly and was subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results revealed that there are significant (P>0.05) difference in the height, stem diameter and number of leaf among the three different soil for the growth assessment. The growth rate recorded from the farm land soil are statistical higher (P>0.05) in leaf width, plant height and stem diameter than the other two soil while the growth parameters assessed were significantly lower (P>0.05) in iron stone soil and forest soil. It is recommended based on the parameters assessed that soil from the farmland gives the best result for raising and nurturing of J. curcas in the nursery without addition of any plant nutrient media.
Keywords: Jatropha curcas seedlings, forest soils, guinea savanna, nursery, nutrient media.