Effects of Soil Texture on Vegetative and Root Growth of Senna obtusifolia seedlings indigenous to Bichi, Sudan savannah of Northern Nigeria, in Green House Conditions

Abstract

There is considerable disagreement on the natural soil requirement for sufficient growth and development of Senna obtusifolia. Therefore, green house grown trials of Senna obtusifolia seedlings in five different soils were investigated. Viable seeds of the Senna obtusifolia were sown in clay, clay sand, loam, loam sand and sandy soils and the germinated seedlings were monitored for a period of eighteen days in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Several growth parameters were taken during the experimental period. Vegetative and root productions of the Senna obtusifolia seedlings grown in the poor drained and heavy clay soil significantly restricted, and therefore has to be avoided. On the contrary, well drained and rich loam soil seems ideal for vegetative production and root growth of Senna obtusifolia seedlings. Results findings indicate that Seena obtusifolia seeds can germinate and grow in all types of soils however; the plant seeds germinate and grow much better in loam soil than other soils. The results suggest loam soil for sufficient vegetative and root production of Senna obtusifolia seedlings in Bichi, Sudan Savannah of Northern Nigeria.