The Effect of Chicken Manure and NPK Application on Growth Performance of Acacia mangium and A.auriculiformis

Abstract

Acacia mangium Willd. and A.auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth. are two fast-growing tree species native to Australia, Pupa New Guinea and Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Both species were widely introduced and planted through out different tropical countries to provide additional sources for timber and other non-wood products to supplement the production of local species. Acacia mangium and A.auriculiformis were reputed to perform better than expected in their new introduction as exotics.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of A.mangium and A.auriculiformis with organic and inorganic fertilizers, viz. Chicken Manure (CHM) and NPK. Soil analysis was conducted to assess the nutrients status of the soil of the potting medium.

Seedlings were fertilized with 10 g and 8 g of CHM and NPK, respectively. Plant height, diameter at root collar, the number of leaves and the number of branches were measured during 12 weeks.

Results showed significant differences (p< 0.001) between species for all measured growth characteristics. However, there were significant differences between treatments in root collar diameter (p< 0.001) and number of leaves (p< 0.01), but not for height and number of branches. The interaction of species x treatment was significant (p< 0.05) only for height growth and number of leaves.