Early Growth Response of Annona muricata (L.) Seedlings to Different Potting Media

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of Annona muricata under four different treatments of organic manure in a screen house.

Study Design: The study was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replicates.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in the Screen House of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, from March to August 2018.

Methodology: Four treatments of organic manure were applied to the seedlings of A. muricata, namely T1 (Topsoil + River sand (control)), T2 (sheep dung), T3 (decomposed sawdust) and T4 (cow dung). Data on plant height, leaf count, collar diameter, root length, and leaf area were collected and analyzed using analysis of variance and Duncan Multiple range test (DMRT) at 0.05 level of significance.

Results: The results showed that all the growth parameters improved with increasing time. Plant height and leaf count were significantly higher in T4 with mean values of 11.79c ± 0.29 and 4.58b ± 0.22, respectively, and T1 (11.25 ± 0.26 cm and 4.58 ± 0.22 respectively) and lowest in T3 (9.01 ± 0.24 cm and 3.74 ± 0.18 respectively). Leaf area was higher in T4 (10.87 ± 0.43 cm2) and lowest in T2 (8.55 ± 0.35 cm2). Root length and collar diameter were highest in T3 (17.15 ± 0.53 cm and 0.25 ± 0.03 cm respectively), root length was least in T1 (12.93 ± 1.72 cm), while collar diameter was lowest in T2 (0.21 ± 0.00 cm).

Conclusion: Cow dung potting media shows the greatest potential to promote robust vegetative growth of Annona muricata seedlings. Cow dung could be considered an accessible, affordable, and effective alternative to standard potting mixes for nursery propagation of A. muricata. These findings contribute valuable insights for optimizing plant growth practices in soursop cultivation.