Abstract
Microbial Inoculants as Effective Microorganisms (EM) were applied to find out their effects on germination and seedling growth of Albizia saman in the nursery. The seedlings were grown in a mixture of sandy soils and cow dung (3:1) kept in polybags. The EM solution at different concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5% and 10%) was incorporated before and after a week of sowing seeds. Germination and physical growth parameters, including shoot and root length, vigor index, collar diameter, leaf number, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root and total biomass increment over the control were measured. The nodulation status influenced by EM was also observed along with the estimation of chemical parameters like chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid. Both germination and the measured physical growth parameters were found significantly (P<0.05) higher in seedlings treated with different concentrations of EM solution in comparison to the control. Maximum growth was found at 2% followed by 1% EM solution. Nodulation was higher at 0.1% concentration but it normally decreased with the increase of concentrations. Although there were a higher amount of pigments in leaves of the treated seedlings than of the control, the variations recorded with respect to chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid were not significantly higher in most of the treatments. Treated seedlings showed variable results along with the increment of EM applications and most of the parameters showed best results at the medium range of concentrations. The study indicates that the Microbial Inoculant (EM) technology might be useful to improve the growth of seedlings in the nursery. This also indicates that the associated beneficial organisms along with the polybag soils might be of value in improving the degraded soil or poor field soil for better nutrient and water uptake during the initial growth of transplanted seedlings.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anuar, A.R., Sharifuddin, H.A.H., Shahbudin, M.F. and Zaharah, A.R. 1995. Effectiveness of effective microorganisms (EM) on maize grown on sandy tin tailings [C]. Pp. 42–54. In: Sharifuddin, H.A.H., Anuar, A.R. and Shahbudin, M.F. (eds.), Effective microorganisms (EM). Proceedings of the 2nd Conference on Effective Microorganisms (EM) held at Kyusei Nature Farming Center, Saraburi, Thailand. November 17–19. 1993.
Chowdhry, A.R., Hussain, M.M., Mia, M.S., Karim, A.M.M.S., Haider, J., Bhuyan, N.I. and Shifuddin, K. 1994. Effect of organic amendments and EM on crop production in Bangladesh [C]. Pp. 155–163. In: Parr, J.F., Hornick, S.B. and Simpson, M.E. (eds.), Kyusei Nature Farming. Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. October, 7–11. 1991.
Das, D. K. and Alam, M. K 2001. Trees of Bangladesh [R]. Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chittagong. 342 pp.
Iwaishi, S. 2000. Effect of organic fertilizer and effective microorganisms on growth, yield and quality of paddy-rice varieties [J]. Journal of Crop Production, 3(1): 269–273.
Khan, B.M., Mridha, M.A.U., Hossain, M.K. and Xu, H.L. 2002. Nursery Practice of Growth on Ipil ipil [Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) de Wit] by Using Beneficial Microbial Inoculant (Effective Microorganisms) [J]. Nature Farming and Environment, 3(1): 15–22.
Kyan, T., Shintani, M., Kanda, S., Sakuria, M., Ohashi, H., Fujisawa A. and Pongdit, S. 1999. Kyusei Farming and the Technology of Effective Microorganisms [R]. International Nature Farming and Research Center, Atami, Japan and Asian Pacific Natural Agriculture Network, Bangkok, Thailand. 44 pp.
Lim, T.D., Pak, T.W. and Jong, C.B. 1999. Yields of rice and maize as affected by effective microorganisms [C]. Pp. 92–98. In: Senanayake, Y.D.A. and Sangakkara, U.R. (eds.), Kyusei Nature Farming and Effective Microorganisms. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming and Effective Microorganisms for Agricultural and Environmental Sustainability. Bangkok, Thailand. October 23–26. 1997.
Luna, R.K. 1996. Plantation Trees [M]. International Book Distributors. Dehra Dun, India. 975 pp.
Mridha, M.A.U., Chowdhuary, H.U., Xu, H.L. and Umemura, H. 1999. Influences of effective microorganisms on seed germination and seedling growth of some crop plants [R]. Nature Farming and Sustainable Environment, Vol. II. International Nature Farming Research Center, Atami, Japan, 1999. Pp. 125–136.
Mridha, M.A.U., Khan, B.M., Hossain, M.K., Tasnim, H. and Rahman, M.F. 2002. Effective microorganisms (EM) for Neem tree. APANews, No. 20: 5–6.
Osman, K.T., Rahman, M.M. and Barua, P. 2001. Effects of some forest tree species on soil properties in Chittagong University Campus, Bangladesh [J]. Indian Forester, 127(4): 431–442.
Shin, H.S., Ryu, G.H., Lee, J.O. and Lee, K.H. 1995. Studies of effective microorganisms (EM) and problem weeds in paddy rice field of Korea [C]. Pp. 82–84. In: Sharifuddin, H.A.H., Anuar, A.R. and Shahbudin, M.F. (eds.), Effective Microorganisms (EM). Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Effective Microorganisms (EM) held at Kyusei Nature Farming Center, Saraburi, Thailand. November 17–19. 1993.
Thach, N.Q., Long, C.A., Liet, V.V., Trung, N.V., Thanh, N.X., Dich, T.V., Duong, N., Tuna, N.K., Xuan, L.T.H. and Dan, P.V. 1999. Preliminary results of effective microorganisms (EM) application in Vietnam [C]. Pp. 254–260. In: Senanayake, Y.D.A. and Sangakkara, U.R. (eds.), Kyusei Nature Farming and Effective Microorganisms. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming and Effective Microorganisms for Agricultural and Environmental Sustainability. Bangkok, Thailand. October 23–26. 1997.
Wang, R., Xu, H.L. and Mridha, M.A.U. 2000. Effect of organic fertilizer and EM inoculation on leaf photosynthesis and fruit yield and quality of tomato plants [J]. Journal of Crop Production, 3(1): 173–182.
Wettstein, D. 1957. Formula of chlorophyll determination [J]. Exp. Cell Research, 12(3): 427–489.
Xu, H.L. 2000. Effect of a microbial inoculant, and organic fertilizer, on the growth, photosynthesis and yield of sweet corn [J]. Journal of Crop Production, 3(1): 183–214.
Zacharia, P.P. 1995. Studies on the application of effective microorganisms (EM) in paddy, sugarcane and vegetables in India [C]. Pp. 31–41. In: Sharifuddin, H.A.H., Anuar, A.R. and Shahbudin, M.F. (eds.), Effective Microorganisms (EM). Proceedings of the 2nd Conference on Effective Microorganisms (EM) held at Kyusei Nature Farming Center, Saraburi, Thailand. November 17–19. 1993.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Biography: Bayezid Mahmud Khan (1976–) male, Assistant Professor in the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Khan, B.M., Hossain, M.K. & Mridha, M.A.U. Effect of microbial inoculants on Albizia saman germination and seedling growth. J. of For. Res. 17, 99–102 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-006-0023-3
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-006-0023-3
Key words
- Albizia saman (Jack.) Merr
- Microbial Inoculants (EM)
- Germination
- Seedling growth
- Leaf pigment
- Nodulation status