Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on the growth of Ailanthus excelsa and soil properties. he results revealed that the integration of 150 mg of N, 200 mg of P2O5 and 100 mg of K2O kg-1 soil along with vermicompost 40 g bag-1 enhanced the various growth parameters like shoot length and dry matter production at all stages of seedling growth viz., 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting. In addition, the INM treatment also enhanced the volume index and quality index used for the evaluation of seedling quality characteristics. The analysis of soil samples for the physico-chemical characters viz., pH and EC and the nutrient status of the soil through available N, P and K and organic carbon both initially and at 90 DAT revealed that there was no profound influence of INM on soil pH and EC but, the organic carbon (4.8 g kg-1), available nitrogen (261 kg ha-1), phosphorus (14.9kg ha-1), and potash (208 kg ha-1) status in the soil was appreciably increased with the applicationof 150 mg of N, 200 mg of P2O5 and 100 mg of K2O kg-1 soil supplemented with vermicompost40 g bag-1.

Keywords: Ailanthus excelsa, INM, growth parameters and soil properties