Abstract

Investigations were carried out at Annamalai University Experimental Farm, Tamil Nadu to find out a way to produce super seedlings in Casuarina crop. Frankia was inoculated in the nursery through seed treatment and soil application. Different levels of DAP as starter nutrients (0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 g m) was applied to supply N and P2O5. Frankia and DAP treated seedlings were found healthy and vigorous than the control. The nursery duration was reduced by one month. Seedling height, vigour index, nodulation and biomass production in the nursery and establishment in the main field were higher when Frankia inoculation and DAP application @ 1500 g m-1 was given to the nursery.

Keywords: Frankia, Diammonium phosphate, Seedling vigour, Nodulation, Casuarina.