Effect of organic manure and biofertilizers on growth and vigour of Swietenia macrophylla king. (Mahogany)

The present investigation was conducted at College of Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat during July-February, 2018-19 aiming at adopting organic production, promoting forest nurseries for sustainable tree plantation, and exploringSwietenia macrophylla King for timber purposes. The experiment was designed by employing Completely Randomized Design comprising three replications to assess the growth and vigour of big-leaf mahogany seedlings amongst various organic manures (FYM, Vermicompost, Neem cake, and Poultry manure) in different combinations with red soil. Further, another aspect involved drenching of various biofertilizers (Azotobacter, Azosprillum, Acetobacter, PSB, Pseudomonas, and VAM) in early stages of the nursery in comparison to control (Red soil). Among different organic manure treatments, red soil+poultry manure (2:1) exhibited fair qualitative as well as quantitative responses in growth parameters however, the maximum seedling quality index was found in red soil + vermicompost (2:1) treatment. In case of biofertilizer application, highest growth and vigour were recorded in seedlings drenched with VAM @ 10 ml plant⁻¹. More sturdy and stable seedlings can be prepared using vermicompost and poultry manure as potting medium along with inoculation of VAM.