Study the effect of Inm on Seedling growth and quality parameters of Bixa Orellana L. Seedlings at different stages

An investigation was undertaken with Bixa orellana the test tree species to standardize ideal Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) techniques for improving the growth of B. orellana seedlings, so as to obtain the best quality seedling within a shortest nursery period. A nursery experiment was conducted by raising Bixaorellana Linn., seedlings in polybags filled with standard soil mixture 2:1:1 (Soil: Sand: FYM) with three levels of nitrogen (100, 200 and 300 mg N per seedling) as urea, three levels of phosphorus (200, 300 and 400 mg P2O5 per seedling) as single super phosphate and three levels of potassium (100, 200 and 300 mg of K2O per seedling) as muriate of potash along with Farm Yard Manure (100g) per seedling, Azospirillum (5g) per seedling, Phosphobacteria (5g) per seedling and Vermicompost (5g) per seedling. The results revealed that the shoot and root length, collar diameter and number of leaves were increased by INM treatments. Application of N, P2O5 and K2O (200: 300: 200 mg) along with Vermicompost (5g), Azospirillum (5g) and Phosphobacteria (5g) per seedling (T11) proved to be the ideal dose to improve above said parameters. The same treatment was also the best in enhancing the dry matter production, volume index, quality index and total chlorophyll.