Effect of Farm Yard Manure and Nitrogen on Growth and Frond Production in Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott)

The present study reports the effect of application of three levels of farm yard manure (0, 25 and 50 t/ha/yr) in combination with four levels of nitrogen (0, 125, 250 and 375 kg/ha/yr) on growth and frond production in Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) under 75% shade during the years 2012–13 and 2013–14. N was applied in four equal splits, i.e., one-fourth at planting and remaining at quarterly intervals in June, September and December. The growth parameters viz. plant height, spread, growth index, lamina length, fresh and dry weight of fronds were not significantly affected by FYM and N alone though frond production was improvedsignificantly. Application of N at 250 and 375 kg/ha/yr significantly increased frond production in comparison to the control. Application of FYM at 25 t/ha/yr also significantly improved the frond yield. There was significant enhancement in all the growth parameters with integrated use of FYM and N. The maximum frond production was obtained with the combined application of FYM at 50 t/ha/yr and with N at 250 kg/ha/yr.