Effect of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium fertilizers on growth of stock plants of Tectona grandis (Linn. f.) and rooting behaviour of shoot cuttings

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizers on the growth of stock plants and rooting behaviour of coppice shoot cuttings of teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f.). Different combinations of N, P and K were applied to teak seedlings grown in earthenware pots. Growth observations on seedlings were recorded. Thereafter the seedlings were coppiced and data on coppice shoot growth were recorded in the month of June, 8-weeks after coppicing. Treatment of N, P and K fertilizers promoted the growth of stock plants. The highest concentration i.e,, N-100ppm + P-100ppm + K-100ppm caused maximum growth enhancement in terms of mean height, mean collar diameter and mean number of leaves produced on the stock plants. Fertilizers also increased the number of coppice shoots and their length. The coppice shoots were made into mono-nodal, leafy, softwood cuttings, which were treated with 2500 ppm NAA and planted for rooting in a mist chamber. Rooting data was recorded 45 days after planting. Application of fertilizer to the stock plants showed significant effect on per cent callusing, mean length of shoot per cutting, mean number of leaves per cutting, mean number of roots per cutting and mean length of root per cutting. NAA treatment to the shoot cuttings promoted per cent callusing and mean number of roots per cutting. Interactive effects of stock plant fertilization and NAA treatment on per cent callusing, mean length of shoots per cutting, mean number of roots per cutting and mean length of root per cutting were also significant.