Impact of fly ash on germination and initial seedling growth of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit

Impact of fly ash (FA) on germination and initial seedling growth performance of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit was studied during 2016–2017. Substrate was prepared by admixing FA to forest soil (S) at five concentrations viz.20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% (w/w). The experimental design was CRD with six treatment and three replications. Eighteen hundred freshly collected seeds were treated with hot water and sown at 0.5–1.0 cm depth in germination trays containing substrates of different treatments. Significant (P<0.05) variation in germination (G.) period, G. rate, G. capacity and G. Index with respect to FA concentration in growing media was observed (n=100).G. period was reduced by 5.67 days in 20% fly ash admixed growing media (FAAGM) over control (S). Maximum G. rate (88.67%), G. value (18.47) and G. index (1.58) were found in 20% FAAG Mafter 30 days of sowing. Observations pertaining to growth dynamics were recorded at 90 days after transplanting (DAT). Significant difference (P>0.05) in seedling survival rate, plant height, diameter growth, nodules per plant and seedling quality index were observed. The survival rate (91.83%) and root nodule number was (7.20) was maximum at 20% FAAGM. But plant height (51.68 cm), diameter growth (3.96 cm) and seedling quality index (0.706) were attained maximum at 40% FAAGM. It is concluded form the present investigation that FA can be admixed @ 20% (w/w)in forest nurseries for improving germination and @40% (w/w) for promoting seedling growth and quality improvement.