Effect of Potting Media and Watering Frequency on Dry Matter Production and Distribution of Seedling of Korarima ( Aframomum cororima (Braun) P.C.M. Jansen)

Abstract

Korarima (Aframomum korarima) is native crop to Ethiopia, herbaceous, perennial and aromatic spice. Production is much lower mainly due to constraints such as lack of improved variety, Poor agronomic practices. Thus, the current study was conducted to determining Biomass Production and Distribution on Seedling of Korarima under media and watering frequency at the Jimma Research Center, southwest Ethiopia. The treatments included Soil media seven levels (Forest, Top , Forest : Top , Forest : Compost , Top : Compost , Forest : Top soil : compost, Top : Compost ( 3:1) ) and Watering frequency four levels (every day , two , three & four). A split plot design with three replications, Soil media and Watering frequency were assigned as main and sub-plot, respectively. Four months old seedlings were used to require the media and watering frequency and to record dry mass of leaves, stem, and root growth. Each organ was separately oven-dried and total dry matter production and allocation patterns were measured analyzed. The results described highly significant differences between the soil media and watering frequency for most of the parameters considered. As a result, root, leaf, stem, shoot and total biomass assimilation and partitioning. The highest score of DM weight was obtained under Korarima seeds sown in mixed top soil and compost soil media combination in 3:1 ratio and blended of forest soil, top soil and compost in 1:1:1 ratio with watering frequency every two days or every three days shown significant leaf , stem , shoot and root dry matter weight(g) , respectively. Watering frequency every four days shown low dry matter weight. (g). In general, interaction effect of the factors showed highly significant (p<0.01) variation in terms of the total dry matter share varied for the seedling growth parts (root = 17.61%, leaf = 48.66%, stem = 33.73% and whole shoot = 82.29%). It can be concluded that watering frequency every three or two days and media of top soil and compost combinations improved both dry mass and dry matter partitioning of seedling.