Effect of nitrogenous fertilizer on the seedling growth and quality parameters of Juniperus polycarpos C Koch under nursery conditions

Investigations were carried out to study the effect of nitrogenous fertilizer ie urea on the seedling growth, biomass production and quality parameters of Juniperus polycarpos in nursery conditions. The seedlings were given eight different doses of urea including control to study their effect on seedling growth and quality parameters. Significant differences were observed in growth, biomass and quality parameters of seedlings applied with different doses of urea in the nursery. Maximum values for seedling parameters viz shoot length (55.97 cm), root length (40.50 cm), collar diameter (6.71 mm) and number of roots per plant (42.50) were recorded in seedlings that were given 3.5 g urea per seedling, along with other treatments, whereas, minimum values of various seedling parameters were recorded in seedlings where no external dose of urea was administered. Similarly, maximum fresh shoot biomass (29.50 g/ seedling), fresh root biomass (7.12 g/seedling), total fresh biomass (36.62 g/seedling), dry shoot biomass (16.87 g/ seedling), dry root biomass (4.27 g/seedling) and total dry biomass (21.15 g/seedling) were also recorded in seedlings that were given 3.5 g urea per seedling, whereas, minimum shoot, root and total biomass were recorded in seedlings where no external dose of urea was applied. The maximum values of seedling quality parameters viz root-shoot ratio (0.25), volume index (2,519.99) and quality index (1.72) were also observed in seedlings that were given 3.5 g urea per seedling. The study recommended the application of urea 3.5 g per seedling for promoting the growth of seedlings of J polycarpos and the production of quality planting stock in the nursery.