4. RESULTS
4.1 Experiments 1
4.1.1 Shoot length (cm)
Table 4.1.1 shows the shoot length of different agroforestry tree seedlings treated with different fertilizers. The study revealed that shoot lengths were significantly different among the fertilizers and also with respect to control (T0) except in case of L. leucocephala. In most of the cases it was found that the shoot length increased with the application of fertilizers. The lowest shoot length (19.60 cm) was observed in Acacia auriculiformis at T2 treatment followed by 20.26 cm in Albizia chinensis at T0 treatment. As evident by the data, Sesbania sesban grew best among the species studied by attaining maximum shoot length (125.00cm) at T5 treatment followed by L. leucocephala (89.5cm) and A. nilotica (71.10cm) at T4 and T5 treatment respectively (Table 4.1.1). The highest relative elongation ratio (RER) of shoot (301.9%) was observed in A. chinensis at T4 treatment while the lowest (70.5%) was in A. auriculiformis at T2 treatment (Fig.4.1.1).
Table-4.1.1: Shoot length (cm) of different agroforestry tree seedlings treated with different fertilizers
| Treatment | Agroforestry Tree Seedlings | |||||||||
| Albizia chinensis | A. saman | A. lebbeck | A. procera | Acacia auriculiformis | A. nilotica | A. tortilis | Sesbania sesban | Gliricidia sepium | L. Leucocephala | |
| T0 | 20.3e | 32.3bc | 44.2ab | 52.2ab | 27.80bc | 65.70ab | 39.30b | 71.45c | 53.50ab | 81.34a |
| T1 | 26.7de | 37.5b | 45.7ab | 60.5ab | 32.10ab* | 66.50ab | 42.30b | 100.20b | 41.40b | 80.30a |
| T2 | 35.9cd | 48.5a | 51.8a | 51.65b | 19.60c | 53.40b | 37.5b | 116.60ab | 49.10ab | 71.20a |
| T3 | 54.6ab | 36.8b | 48.7ab | 59.90ab | 40.35a | 73.40a | 61.00a | 83.10c | 57.70a | 80.25a |
| T4 | 61.2a | 37.0b | 45.8ab | 64.90a | 28.60bc | 70.00a | 46.30b | 116.60ab | 59.00a | 89.50a |
| T5 | 45.8bc | 37.5b | 47.4ab | 52.00ab | 39.50a | 71.10a | 67.40a | 125.00a | 57.80a | 77.30a |
| T6 | 48.8b | 29.0c | 40.0a | 63.70ab | 28.35bc | 67.70ab | 64.70 | 115.00ab | 52.90ab | 83.82a |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
Figure 4.1.1 Relative elongation ratio (RER) of shoot of agroforestry tree seedlings treated with different fertilizers.
Photograph 4.1 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on seedling growth against control
(Albizia procera)
Photograph 4.2 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on seedling growth against control
(Acacia auriculiformis)
Photograph 4.3 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on seedling growth against control
(Leucaena leucocephala)
Photograph 4.4 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on seedling growth against control
(Acacia nilotica)
Photograph 4.5 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on seedling growth against control
(Albizia saman)
Photograph 4.6 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on seedling growth against control
(Acacia tortilis)
Photograph 4.7 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on seedling growth against control
(Gliricidia sapium)
Photograph 4.8 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on seedling growth against control
(Albizia chinensis)
Photograph 4.9 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on seedling growth against control
(Sesbania sesban)
4.1.2 Root length (cm)
The mean root lengths of all the agroforestry tree seedlings are shown in Table 4.1.2. Like shoot length much variation was not recorded in root length of these species in different fertilizer treatments and also the trend was similar to extension of shoot length. There was an important positive increase in root lengths in most fertilizer treatments with respect to control (T0) except in case of A. saman where the lowest root elongation (10.75cm) was found at T4 treatment. Also in case of Gliricidia sepium, there was no significant different in root lengths among the different fertilizers including the control. The highest root length was recoded in L. leucocephala at T4 treatments (P-fertilization). Maximum relative elongation ratio (RER) of root (247.5%) in A. auriculiformis at T3 treatment while the lowest (53.8%) was in A. saman at T4 treatment.
Table-4.1.2: Root length (cm) of different agroforestry tree seedlings treated with different fertilizers
| Treatment | Agroforestry Tree Seedlings | |||||||||
| Albizia chinensis | A. saman | A. lebbeck | A. procera | Acacia auriculiformis | A. nilotica | A. tortilis | Sesbania sesban | Gliricidia sepium | L. Leucocephala | |
| T0 | 15.60bc | 20.00a | 25.0a | 20.4b | 13.90d* | 33.10ab | 26.10b | 30.10ab | 19.70a | 30.50ab |
| T1 | 18.50abc | 17.5a | 24.1a | 18.4b | 26.20bc | 37.00a | 24.50b | 40.80a | 16.50a | 37.95ab |
| T2 | 19.50abc | 18.50a | 25.9a | 20.2b | 26.80bc | 24.2b | 23.90b | 26.00b | 16.00a | 31.80ab |
| T3 | 26.20a | 13.50b | 27.2a | 22.8ab | 34.40a | 25.05b | 32.70b | 26.20b | 18.80a | 35.95ab |
| T4 | 24.50ab | 10.75b | 42.67a | 26.20a | 22.30c | 26.72ab | 29.90b | 38.20ab | 22.60a | 48.86ab |
| T5 | 15.80bc | 11.00b | 21.3a | 19.30b | 31.70ab | 31.05ab | 23.00b | 28.90ab | 16.60a | 30.44ab |
| T6 | 12.95c | 13.50b | 35.9a | 19.00b | 28.60abc | 23.37b | 45.90a | 38.80ab | 14.00a | 29.55b |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
Figure 4.1.2 Relative elongation ratio (RER) of root of agroforestry tree seedlings treated with different fertilizers.
4.1.3 Collar dia (mm)
Table 4.1.3 represents the collar diameter of leguminous agroforestry tree seedlings in different treatments. Fertilizer applications had significant effect on the collar diameter increment (Table-4.1.3) and maximum effect was found at T5 treatment in case of Sesbania sesban. The lowest response of diameter growth to fertilizers was found at T2 treatment in case of A. tortilis. The highest relative elongation ratio (RER) of collar diameter (201.5%) was recorded in Sesbania sesban at T5 treatment while the lowest (78.3%) was recorded in Gliricidia sepium at T1 treatment.
Table-4.1.3: Collar dia (mm) of different agroforestry tree seedlings treated with different fertilizers
| Treatment | Agroforestry Tree Seedlings | |||||||||
| Albizia chinensis | A. saman | A. lebbeck | A. procera | Acacia auriculiformis | A. nilotica | A. tortilis | Sesbania sesban | Gliricidia sepium | L. Leucocephala | |
| T0 | 2.57e | 4.18abc | 4.26b | 3.84ab | 2.14b* | 3.78ab | 2.21cd | 3.98d | 4.60ab | 4.30b |
| T1 | 2.91de | 4.56abc | 3.98b | 4.49a | 2.74a | 3.56abc | 2.24cd | 5.44c | 3.60b | 5.31a |
| T2 | 3.56cd | 4.95a | 4.31b | 3.76ab | 2.10b | 3.07c | 1.91d | 5.73bc | 4.10ab | 4.32b |
| T3 | 4.93a | 3.87bc | 4.11b | 4.08ab | 3.04a | 3.97ab | 2.70abc | 3.78d | 4.86a | 4.58ab |
| T4 | 4.70ab | 4.53abc | 3.58b | 4.33ab | 2.71a | 3.72ab | 2.32bcd | 6.31bc | 4.20ab | 5.08ab |
| T5 | 3.87bcd | 4.73ab | 5.48a | 3.48b | 2.89a | 3.42bc | 3.10a | 8.02a | 4.50ab | 4.80ab |
| T6 | 4.50abc | 3.72c | 5.39a | 4.62a | 2.81a | 4.06a | 2.80ab | 6.75b | 4.60ab | 5.17ab |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
Figure 4.1.3 Relative elongation ratio (RER) of collar diameter of agroforestry tree seedlings treated with different fertilizers.
4.1.4 Root dia (cm)
With the exception of A.procera and Leucaena leucocephala that failed to show the significant effect on the increment of root dia with different fertilizers, all other species were significantly effected with fertilizers (Table 4.1.4), resulting on the increment of root dia in most of the cases. Sesbania sesban recorded highest (6.06cm) root diameter growth than all other species at T4 treatment where A. nilotica the lowest (1.30cm)
Table-4.1.4: Root dia (cm) of different agroforestry tree seedlings treated with different fertilizers
| Treatment | Agroforestry Tree Seedlings | |||||||||
| Albizia chinensis | A. saman | A. lebbeck | A. procera | Acacia auriculiformis | A. nilotica | A. tortilis | Sesbania sesban | Gliricidia sepium | L. Leucocephala | |
| T0 | 3.75b | 6.75a | 3.70c | 3.99a* | 3.00bc | 1.93cd | 2.30ab | 4.11c | 4.60ab | 3.47a |
| T1 | 3.82b | 6.50a | 4.00bc | 3.70a | 3.30ab | 2.38bc | 1.70b | 6.33ab | 3.64b | 3.34a |
| T2 | 5.10ab | 7.50a | 3.95bc | 3.43a | 2.20d | 1.30d | 1.85b | 5.73b | 4.10ab | 3.42a |
| T3 | 5.60a | 5.00b | 4.45bc | 3.75a | 3.80a | 3.00a | 2.85a | 4.58c | 4.86a | 3.34a |
| T4 | 5.80a | 5.25b | 4.10bc | 4.2a | 2.50cd | 2.73ab | 2.05b | 6.06ab | 4.20ab | 4.12a |
| T5 | 5.20ab | 5.25b | 5.25ab | 3.4a | 3.10bc | 1.82cd | 1.95b | 6.06ab | 4.50ab | 4.08a |
| T6 | 4090ab | 4.75b | 5.91a | 4.2a | 3.10bc | 2.04bcd | 1.54b | 7.02a | 4.60ab | 4.38a |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
4.1.5 Nodule number
The nodulations was found to be highly significantly sensitive to the application of N and P fertilizers and species on number of nodules per seedlings (Table 4.1.5). The P fertilizer treatments (T3 and T4) formed the highest number of nodules in most of the species. Except for A. chinensis, A. lebbeck and A. procera, the lowest number of nodules for rest of the species was recorded at N fertilizer treatments (T1 and T2). Number of nodules (41.00) per plant was maximum in Gliridia sapium at T4 treatment. All the treatments produced significantly higher number of nodules compared to N fertilizer treatment (T1 and T2). Applications of nitrogen fertilizers inhibited the nodulation. No nodules were observed in few cases. Among the species Acacia nilotica and A. tortilis were significantly poorly nodulated. Maximum relative nodulation ratio (RNR) was found in A. chinensis (368.75%) at T4 treatment while the lowest (3.8%) was in Gliricidia sepium at T2 treatment.
Table-4.1.5: Nodule No. of different agroforestry tree seedlings treated with different fertilizers
| Treatment | Agroforestry Tree Seedlings | |||||||||
| Albizia chinensis | A. saman | A. lebbeck | A. procera | Acacia auriculiformis | A. nilotica | A. tortilis | Sesbania sesban | Gliricidia sepium | L. Leucocephala | |
| T0 | 8.00d | 9.00f | 6.50e | 17.00a | 4.00c* | .00g | 2.00b | 5.45d | 21.00e | 7.20e |
| T1 | 8.00d | 15.00e | 5.80f | 12.80c | .00e | .00f | 1.000E-01c | 5.00e | 15.90f | 4.50f |
| T2 | 7.50d | 5.00g | 6.80d | 7.00e | 10000E-01d | .00e | .00d | 1.000E-01f | .80g | 2.50g |
| T3 | 30.20a | 19.00a | 8.00 | 10.50d | 5.00b | .00d | 4.0a | 10.00c | 41.00a | 9.50b |
| T4 | 29.50b | 15.00d | 5.00g | 14.00b | 6.80a | 3.50a | .00d | 12.00b | 28.00c | 8.50d |
| T5 | 25.20c | 15.00c | 12.50a | 4.00f | .00e | .00c | .00d | 12.00b | 30.00b | 11.00a |
| T6 | 5.90e | 18.00b | 7.00c | 7.00e | .00e | .00b | .00d | 15.00a | 27.00d | 9.00c |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
Figure 4.1.4 Relative nodulation ratio (RNR) of agroforestry tree seedlings treated with different fertilizers.
Photograph 4.10 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on nodulation against control
(Albizia procera )
Photograph 4.11 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on nodulation against control
(Acacia auriculiformis)
Photograph 4.12 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on nodulation against control
(Leucaena leucocephala)
Photograph 4.13 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on nodulation against control
(Acacia nilotica)
Photograph 4.14 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on nodulation against control
(Albizia saman)
Photograph 4.15 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on nodulation against control
(Acacia tortilis)
Photograph 4.16 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on nodulation against control
(Gliricidia sapium)
Photograph 4.17 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on nodulation against control
(Albizia chinensis)
Photograph 4.18 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on nodulation against control
(Sesbania sesban)
4.1.6 Nodule size (mm)
The nodule sizes of agroforestry tree seedlings are shown in Table 4.1.6. It was observed that the fertilizer treatments had the significant effect positively on the increment of the nodule sizes. The highest nodule size (5.75mm) was found at T5 treatment in case of A. saman followed by (4.58mm) at T0 in case of same species, while the lowest (1.21mm) was found in case of A, chinensis at T6 treatment.
Table-4.1.6: Nodule size (mm) of different agroforestry tree seedlings treated with different fertilizers
| Treatment | Agroforestry Tree Seedlings | |||||||||
| Albizia chinensis | A. saman | A. lebbeck | A. procera | Acacia auriculiformis | A. nilotica | A. tortilis | Sesbania sesban | Gliricidia sepium | L. Leucocephala | |
| T0 | 2.7a | 4.58bc | 2.64c | 3.24b | 1.73c* | .00b | 1.80a | 2.67c | 2.70a | 2.79ab |
| T1 | 2.05b | 3.21d | 3.35b | 2.02c | .00d | .00b | 1.70ab | 2.71c | 2.59ab | 1.81d |
| T2 | 2.05b | 3.87cd | 2.92bc | 2.04c | 1.000E-01d | .00b | .00c | 2.48c | 1.4d | 1.56d |
| T3 | 2.21b | 3.69cd | 2.69a | 3.80ab | 2.08b | .00b | 1.52b | 2.43c | 2.59ab | 1.76d |
| T4 | 2.62a | 3.58d | 3.28bc | 4.19a | 2.43a | 1.70a | .00c | 3.06c | 2.09c | 1.81d |
| T5 | 2.50a | 5.75a | 3.55b | 1.85c | .00d | .00b | .00c | 4.41b | 2.76a | 3.01a |
| T6 | 1.21c | 4.98ab | 4.45a | 3.44ab | .00d | .00b | .00c | 5.17a | 2.17c | 2.52bc |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
4.1.7 Number of Leaves
Fertilizer applications have significant effect on the leaf no. (Table 4.1.7) and T5 has the maximum effect in case of A. tortilis followed by (41.80) at T4 treatment in case of Sesbania sesban. Whereas, in case of A. procera fertilizers has no significant effect on no. of leaves. In case of Sesbania sesban, the rate of increasing leaf no increased highly with the application of fertilizers. It was also found that leaf no. increases on the application of P and NxP treatments (T3-T6) in comparison to the N fertilizers (T1 and T2 ) treatments. The highest relative leaf ratio (RLR) was found in Sesbania sesban (243.02%) at T4 treatment while the lowest (66.9%) was in A. lebbeck at T5 treatment.
Table-4.1.7: Leaf No. of different agroforestry tree seedlings treated with different fertilizers
| Treatment | Agroforestry Tree Seedlings | |||||||||
| Albizia chinensis | A. saman | A. lebbeck | A. procera | Acacia auriculiformis | A. nilotica | A. tortilis | Sesbania sesban | Gliricidia sepium | L. Leucocephala | |
| T0 | 7.00c | 9.00cd | 10.30a | 8.30a | 11.90ab* | 31.70a | 24.00cd | 17.20d | 13.20bc | 11.60bc |
| T1 | 8.40bc | 12.00a | 8.60b | 7.60a | 12.30a | 31.00a | 24.40cd | 28.00bc | 11.00c | 11.00bc |
| T2 | 8.10bc | 10.50abc | 8.70b | 8.20a | 8.20c | 27.00a | 23.00d | 33.5ab | 12.60bc | 10.20c |
| T3 | 8.70b | 8.50d | 10.00a | 8.40a | 13.50a | 30.20a | 31.40bc | 24.40cd | 15.60ab | 12.30b |
| T4 | 8.60b | 10.00bcd | 10.00a | 7.70a | 9.40c | 30.40a | 22.70d | 41.80a | 15.20ab | 15.00a |
| T5 | 7.90bc | 11.50ab | 6.90c | 8.10a | 9.90bc | 31.80a | 43.40a | 41.40a | 15.20ab | 10.60bc |
| T6 | 10.30a | 8.50d | 8.60b | 7.70a | 12.50a | 31.10a | 38.10ab | 39.80a | 17.20a | 12.10b |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
Figure 4.1.5 Relative leaf ratio (RLR) of agroforestry tree seedlings treated with different fertilizers.
4.1.8 Nodule shape and color
The shape of nodules of the selected species varied considerably. The nodule shapes in Mimosoideae were fan-shaped, finger shaped, lobed and semi-globose. In Papilionoideae the nodule shapes were bifurcate, globose and elongated.
Table 4.1.8: Characteristics of nodules of ten agroforestry tree species in Bangladesh
Species | Family | Nodule Morphology |
| Acacia spp. | Mimosoideae | Fan shaped |
| Albizia spp. | Mimosoideae | Finger-shaped, semi-globose and lobed |
| Gliricidia sapium | Papilionoideae | Globose, elongated |
| Sesbania sesban | Papilionoideae | Elongated |
Nodules of Albizia chinensis, Sesban sesban, Acacia auruculiformis, Leucaena leucocephala were mostly brown in color and rough-surfaced. Most of the young nodules of rest of Albizia spp. (used in experiment) were round, white and smooth-surfaced while older nodules were of various shapes.
4.2 Experiments 2
4.2.1 Shoot length (cm)
Table 4.2.1 represents the shoot length (cm) of six legume species grown in unfertilized and fertilized soil in the nursery. In the cases of A. auruculiformis and A. chinensis the shoot lengths were significantly increased with the increasing of harvest interval both in control and treatment except in case of A.lebbeck and Pongamia pinnata where it was significant in control but not in treatment, in A. saman where it was significant in treatment but not in control and in A. procera where there was no any significant increase in both control and treatment. The highest (66.33cm) were recorded in A. saman at treatment (80 days) (Table 4.2.1).
Table-4.2.1: Shoot length (cm) of six legume species grown in pure and fertilized soil (@80kg TSPha-1 in polybags) under nursery conditions
| Species | Harvest Interval | |||||||
| 20 days | 40 days | 60 days | 80 days | |||||
| Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | |
A. auriculiformis | 22.47b* | 22.40c | 41.67a | 36.67b | 46.67a | 42.33b | 57.67a | 57.67a |
| A. lebbeck | 29.00b | 31.43a | 39.67b | 49.00a | 46.83a | 48.00a | 47.20a | 34.17a |
| A. chinensis | 27.00b | 25.67b | 47.00a | 33.00b | 45.33a | 55.33a | 37.50ab | 59.33a |
| A.saman | 34.33a | 34.83c | 48.67a | 45.67bc | 53.33a | 59.00ab | 52.67a | 66.33a |
Pongamia pinnata | 43.67bc | 37.67a | 50.00ab | 39.33a | 60.33a | 44.33a | 65.33a | 45.00a |
| A. procera | 43.00a | 40.33a | 45.00a | 51.33a | 53.33a | 53.00a | 51.00a | 54.33a |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
4.2.2 Root length (cm)
Table 4.2.2 represents the root lengths of six leguminous agroforestry tree seedlings grown in unfertilized and fertilized soil. Form the data it was found that in most cases the root lengths were significantly increased in treatment with the increasing of harvest interval except in A. lebbeck where it was significant in control but not in treatment, in A. auriculiformis and A. chinensis where no any significant increase in root length both in control and treatment. The highest root length (45.67cm) was observed in Pongamia pinnata at treatment (80 days) while the lowest (13.00cm) was in A. lebbeck at treatment (60 days).
Table-4.2.2: Root length (cm) of six legume species grown in pure and fertilized soil (@80kg TSPha-1 in polybags) under nursery conditions
| Species | Harvest Interval | |||||||
| 20 days | 40 days | 60 days | 80 days | |||||
| Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | |
| A. auriculiformis | 26.83a* | 32.17a | 39.00a | 32.67a | 28.00a | 28.33a | 28.67a | 28.33a |
| A. lebbeck | 14.33b | 16.33a | 21.33ab | 20.00a | 28.00a | 13.00a | 20.67ab | 17.33a |
| A. chinensis | 18.33a | 13.83a | 22.33a | 19.00a | 24.33a | 23.67a | 27.67a | 25.00a |
| A.saman | 19.33a | 14.50b | 20.67a | 17.33b | 36.00a | 40.33a | 26.67a | 27.67ab |
Pongamia pinnata | 35.6a | 19.00b | 30.33a | 41.33a | 31.33a | 40.67a | 28.33a | 45.67a |
| A. procera | 26.83a | 20.33b | 24.00a | 19.00b | 34.00a | 36.00a | 36.33a | 36.67a |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
4.2.3 Collar dia (mm)
The collar diameter (mm) of six legume species is represented in Table 4.2.3. From the data it was evident that in most cases the collar diameter (mm) of agroforestry legumes was increased with the increasing of harvest interval both in control and treatment and the rate of increment was higher in treatment than in control except in A. saman where the collar diameter increment was not significant in control but in treatment, in Pongamia pinnata the reverse was found, in A. procera there was no any significant increment both in control and treatment. The highest data (8.27mm) was recorded in Pongamia pinnata at control (80 days) while the lowest (2.30mm) was in A. auriculiformis at treatment (20days).
Table-4.2.3: Collar dia (mm) of six legume species grown in pure and fertilized soil (@80kg TSPha-1 in polybags) under nursery conditions
| Species | Harvest Interval | |||||||
| 20 days | 40 days | 60 days | 80 days | |||||
| Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | |
A. auriculiformis | 2.45c* | 2.30c | 4.17ab | 4.50b | 4.58a | 4.30b | 3.60b | 5.87a |
| A. lebbeck | 3.30c | 3.42b | 4.98b | 5.53ab | 6.48a | 5.97ab | 6.53a | 7.30a |
| A. chinensis | 2.52b | 2.50b | 4.75a | 3.45b | 4.48a | 4.90a | 3.60ab | 6.08a |
| A.saman | 4.60a | 4.53b | 5.72a | 5.02b | 6.12a | 7.48a | 6.60a | 7.92a |
Pongamia pinnata | 5.93a | 6.37a | 7.80a | 8.05a | 7.71ab | 7.42a | 8.27a | 7.53a |
| A. procera | 4.30a | 4.47a | 4.08a | 5.53a | 6.02a | 6.38a | 5.92a | 7.07a |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
4.2.4 Root dia (cm)
Table 4.2.4 shows the significance of root dia (cm) of agroforestry legumes with the increasing of harvest interval. From the data it was found that in A. lebbeck and A. saman, there was no significant variation in root dia both in control and treatment. In A. auriculiformis it was significantly increased both in control and treatment and the rate of increment was more or less uniform. In A. chinensis, Pongamia pinnata, and A. procera it was significantly varied in treatment but not in control. The highest (9.10cm) root dia (cm) was recorded in A. procera at treatment (20days) and the lowest (3.95cm) in A. auriculiformis at treatment (20 days).
Table-4.2.4: Root dia of six legume species grown in pure and fertilized soil (@80kg TSPha-1 in polybags) under nursery conditions
| Species | Harvest Interval | |||||||
| 20 days | 40 days | 60 days | 80 days | |||||
| Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | |
A. auriculiformis | 4.00b* | 3.95c | 7.67a | 7.67a | 5.17b | 5.17bc | 6.00b | 7.00ab |
| A. lebbeck | 5.17a | 5.50a | 6.00a | 6.33a | 5.67a | 5.00a | 6.83a | 4.83a |
| A. chinensis | 4.17a | 5.67ab | 5.67a | 5.83ab | 4.33a | 4.50b | 5.00a | 6.67a |
| A.saman | 6.00a | 6.83a | 5.67a | 5.50a | 5.67a | 6.50a | 6.00a | 5.50a |
Pongamia pinnata | 5.83a | 6.50b | 7.50a | 8.33a | 7.00a | 5.50b | 5.83a | 5.50b |
| A. procera | 7.67a | 9.10a | 6.67a | 7.67b | 7.00a | 7.33b | 6.17a | 6.83b |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
4.2.5 Nodule number
The variations of nodule numbers per plant with the increasing of harvest interval are presented in Table 4.2.5. From the table it was found that nodule numbers were increased with the increasing of harvest interval except in Pongamia pinnata where the nodules were damaged and no nodules were observed at treatment at 80 days harvest interval. In Acacia auriculiformis the nodules were significantly increased both in control and treatment where the rate of increment was higher in treatment. In A. procera there was no significant variation in nodules both in control and treatment. In A. lebbeck it was significantly increased in treatment but not in control. In A. chinensis nodules were not significantly increased in treatment and the variation is significant in control but negative as the nodules were damaged. In A. saman nodules were significantly increased in treatment and no variation was found in control. The highest numbers of nodules were recorded in A. lebbeck at treatment (60 days) while the lowest was found in Pongamia ponnata both in control and treatment (60 days).
Table-4.2.5: Nodule No. of six legume species grown in pure and fertilized soil (@80kg TSPha-1 in polybags) under nursery conditions
| Species | Harvest Interval | |||||||
| 20 days | 40 days | 60 days | 80 days | |||||
| Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | |
A. auriculiformis | 10.67b* | 16.33c | 18.33ab | 31.67b | 32.6a | 19.33bc | 27.00ab | 56.67a |
| A. lebbeck | 27.00a | 38.33ab | 38.33a | 59.00a | 33.33a | 66.67a | 41.67a | 21.67b |
| A. chinensis | 26.67ab | 27.00a | 33.00a | 26.00a | 13.33b | 28.33a | 11.67b | 28.33a |
| A.saman | 39.33a | 27.33b | 34.33a | 29.33b | 36.67a | 43.33b | 31.67a | 63.33a |
Pongamia pinnata | 16.33a | 23.67a | 15.33a | 4.33b | 1.00b | 1.00b | 6.67ab | 0.00b |
| A. procera | 37.33a | 16.00a | 31.67a | 37.33a | 32.3a | 33.3a | 11.67a | 26.6a |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
4.2.6 Nodule size (mm)
Table 4.2.6 represents the variation of nodule size of selected legumes with the increasing of harvest interval. From the data it was evident that in most cases nodule sizes were significantly increased with the increasing of harvest interval both in control and treatment. In case of A. chinensis and A. procera nodule sizes were varied significantly in control but not in treatment. However, nodule sizes were greater in treatment than in control. In Pongamia pinnata, nodule sizes were varied significantly in treatment but not in control. The biggest nodules were found in A. saman at treatment (40 days) while the smallest was observed in Pongamia pinnata at treatment (60 days).
Photograph 4.19 Effect of different fertilizer treatment on nodulation against control
(Albizia procera )
Photograph 4.20 Effect of different fertilizer treatment on nodulation against control
(Albizia lebbeck )
Photograph 4.21 Effect of different fertilizer treatment on nodulation against control
(Albizia saman )
Photograph 4.22 Effect of different fertilizer treatment on nodulation against control
(Acacia auriculformis )
Table-4.2.6: Nodule size (mm) of six legume species grown in pure and fertilized soil (@80kg TSPha-1 in polybags) under nursery conditions
| Species | Harvest Interval | |||||||
| 20 days | 40 days | 60 days | 80 days | |||||
| Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | |
A. auriculiformis | 1.90b* | 1.85b | 3.15a | 3.12a | 2.37b | 2.00b | 3.23a | 2.33ab |
| A. lebbeck | 3.12b | 2.47b | 3.13b | 3.57a | 3.90a | 2.10b | 3.58a | 3.57a |
| A. chinensis | 1.47b | 2.02a | 3.08a | 1.90a | 1.72b | 2.75a | 1.77b | 3.47a |
| A.saman | 1.92b | 4.53ab | 4.67a | 4.90a | 2.95ab | 2.10b | 3.22ab | 3.73ab |
Pongamia pinnata | 2.47a | 3.05a | 3.10a | 2.57b | 1.72a | 1.60c | 3.00a | 0.00d |
| A. procera | 2.05b | 4.27a | 2.98ab | 3.85a | 4.00a | 4.67a | 2.90ab | 5.80a |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
4.2.7 Number of leaves
Table 4.2.7 represents the number of leaves of leguminous agroforestry tree seedlings in the nursery conditions. From the table it was evident that in most cases the number of leaves significantly increased with the increasing of harvest interval both in control and treatment. In Pongamia pinnata it was not significantly increased in both control and treatment. But the leaf no. was higher in treatment. In A. chinensis and A. saman there was variation of leaf numbers in treatment but not in control.The highest number of leaves (31.67) were counted in A. auriculiformis at treatment (80 days) while the lowest (6.67) was in A. procera at treatment (20 days).
Table-4.2.7: No. of leaves of six legume species grown in pure and fertilized soil (@80kg TSPha-1 in polybags) under nursery conditions
| Species | Harvest Interval | |||||||
| 20 days | 40 days | 60 days | 80 days | |||||
| Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | Control | @80 kg TSPha-1 | |
A. auriculiformis | 9.67b* | 11.0b | 27.67a | 23.3ab | 13.0b | 30.0a | 20.0ab | 31.6a |
| A. lebbeck | 11.0ab | 11.3ab | 13.33a | 12.6a | 9.33b | 8.00b | 9.00b | 11.0ab |
| A. chinensis | 8.00a | 9.33b | 11.33a | 10.3ab | 10.0a | 12.3a | 10.6a | 11.0ab |
| A.saman | 11.6a | 8.67c | 11.00a | 10.0bc | 12.0a | 14.0ab | 12.6a | 15.3a |
Pongamia pinnata | 10.3a | 11.0a | 14.00a | 18.0a | 10.0a | 15.3a | 11.6a | 13.0a |
| A. procera | 7.00b | 6.67c | 8.00b | 7.67bc | 9.67b | 10.3b | 15.0a | 14.0a |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
4.3 Experiments 3
4.3.1 Shoot length (cm)
Table 4.3.1 represents the average shoot length (cm) of the treated seedlings of all the leguminous agroforestry trees. Considering the shoot elongation (cm) of all the agroforestry tree seedlings, there are variations among the species themselves. The study also revealed that shoot lengths were significantly different among the treatments. In most of the cases it was found that there was a trend of increasing shoot length with the increasing of the ratio of soil with cowdung (T2-T4). But the trend was not statistically significant except in case of Leucaena leucocephala. The highest shoot length (35.20cm) was recorded at T4 treatment in case of Albizia lebbeck followed by T3-T1 in all cases. While the lowest shoot length (14.25 cm) was observed in Acacia hybrid at T2 treatment followed by 14.55cm at T0 treatment in same species and 14.85cm in Acacia auriculiformis at T0 treatment (Table 4.3.1). The highest relative elongation ratio (RER) of shoot (199.6%) was found in A. hybrid at T4 treatment while the lowest (69.6%) was in A. lebbeck at T4 treatment.
Table 4.3.1: Shoot length (cm) of leguminous agroforestry seedlings grown in polybag treated with different media in nursery conditions
| Treatments | Leguminous Agroforestry trees | ||||
| Acacia mangium | A. hybrid | A. auriculiformis | Albizia lebbeck | Leucaena leucocephala | |
| T0 | 17.19b* | 14.55b | 14.85b | 20.76c | 27.25ab |
| T1 | 17.80b | 14.25b | 16.35b | 25.90b | 23.48b |
| T2 | 30.80a | 26.05a | 20.05a | 33.85a | 23.75b |
| T3 | 26.70a | 29.05a | 22.50a | 33.45a | 27.85ab |
| T4 | 30.32a | 28.10a | 21.55a | 35.20a | 34.95a |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
Figure 4.3.1 Relative elongation ratio (RER) of shoot of agroforestry tree seedlings in different treatments
Photograph 4.23 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on seedling growth against control
(Albizia lebbeck )
Photograph 4.24 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on seedling growth against control
(Acacia hybrid )
Photograph 4.25 Effect of different fertilizer treatments on seedling growth against control
(Acacia mangium )
4.3.2 Root length (cm)
The mean root lengths of all the agroforestry tree seedlings are shown in Table 4.3.2. Like shoot length there was a trend of increasing root length (cm) with the increasing of soils with cowdung except in case of Acacia auriculiformis and Leucaena leucocephala where the trend was not strictly followed. Also in case of A. auculiformis, increment of root lengths in different treatments was not statistically significant. The highest root length (37.20cm) was observed in Leucaena leucocephala at T1 treatment followed by 33.50cm at T4 treatment in A. auriculiformis. The lowest data (11.30cm) was recorded at T3 treatment in L. leucocephala. Maximum relative elongation ratio (RER) of root (156.3%) was found in L. leucocephala at T1 treatment while the minimum (47.5%) was also in the same species at T3 treatment.
Table 4.3.2: Root length (cm) of leguminous agroforestry seedlings grown in polybag treated with different media under nursery conditions
| Treatments | Leguminous Agroforestry trees | ||||
| Acacia mangium | A. hybrid | A. auriculiformis | Albizia lebbeck | Leucaena leucocephala | |
| T0 | 24.90ab | 20.05ab* | 33.10a | 18.87b | 23.80b |
| T1 | 18.40b | 16.25b | 28.80a | 18.63b | 37.20a |
| T2 | 21.40ab | 19.30ab | 27.05a | 24.38ab | 16.60bc |
| T3 | 26.64a | 21.80ab | 33.20a | 27.04a | 11.30c |
| T4 | 24.68ab | 25.20a | 33.50a | 29.77a | 16.60bc |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
Figure 4.3.2 Relative elongation ratio (RER) of root of agroforestry tree seedlings in different treatments.
4.3.3 Collar dia (mm)
Table 4.3.3 represents the collar diameter of leguminous agroforestry tree seedlings in different treatments. Cowdung applications (T2-T4) had significant effect on the collar diameter increment (Table-4.3.3) and maximum increment (3.52mm) was observed at T2 treatment in case of Leucaena leucocephala followed by 3.46 mm at T4 treatment in same species. The lowest response of diameter growth to different media was found at T1 treatment in case of A. hybrid. The maximum relative elongation ratio (RER) of collar diameter (156.4%) was found in A. hybrid at T2 treatment while the lowest (93.1%) was in A. mangium at T1 treatment.
Table 4.3.3: Collar dia (mm) of leguminous agroforestry seedlings grown in polybag treated with different media under nursery conditions
| Treatments | Leguminous Agroforestry trees | ||||
| Acacia mangium | A. hybrid | A. auriculiformis | Albizia lebbeck | Leucaena leucocephala | |
| T0 | 1.75b* | 1.56b | 1.65d | 2.92b | 2.90a |
| T1 | 1.63b | 1.50b | 1.89cd | 2.77b | 3.03a |
| T2 | 2.67a | 2.44a | 2.10bc | 3.37a | 3.52a |
| T3 | 2.60a | 2.32a | 2.26b | 3.09ab | 3.22a |
| T4 | 2.64a | 2.22a | 2.65a | 3.05ab | 3.46a |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
Figure 4.3.3 Relative elongation ratio (RER) of collar diameter of agroforestry tree seedlings in different treatments.
4.3.4 Root dia (cm)
Cowdung applications (T2-T4) hardly accelerate the increment of root dia of agroforestry tree seedlings except in case of A. mangium. In most of the cases the highest increment was recorded at T0 treatment (Table 4.3.4). Maximum increment (5.64cm) was found at T3 treatment followed by 4.47cm at T4 treatment in A. mangium, while the minimum (2.02cm) was also found in same species at T1 treatment.
Table 4.3.4: Root dia (cm) of leguminous agroforestry seedlings grown in polybag treated with different media under nursery conditions
| Treatments | Leguminous Agroforestry trees | ||||
| Acacia mangium | A. hybrid | A. auriculiformis | Albizia lebbeck | Leucaena leucocephala | |
| T0 | 2.65c | 2.95a* | 4.33a | 4.04a | 3.41a |
| T1 | 2.02c | 2.45a | 3.63ab | 3.97a | 2.65a |
| T2 | 2.80c | 3.03a | 2.73c | 3.92a | 2.81a |
| T3 | 5.64a | 2.85a | 3.50b | 2.64b | 3.28a |
| T4 | 4.47b | 2.95a | 3.88ab | 3.21ab | 3.00a |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
4.3.5 Nodule Number
The nodulations was found to greatly affected at any treatment containing cowdung. The nodulation (mean nodule number per seedling) was appeared to be resistant to the cowdung treatments i.e. no or significantly lowest nodules were observed at T2-T4 treatments, exception was recorded in A. lebbeck at T2. In all cases the nodulation was significantly increased at T0 treatment (pure sand) followed by at T1 treatment. The highest number of nodules/ seedling (20.00) was recorded in A. lebbeck at T0 and T2 treatment, while the lowest was 0.28 in A. mangium at T2 treatment. Maximum relative nodulation ratio (RNR) was found in A. lebbeck (100%) at T2 treatment while the minimum (24.4%) was in L. leucocephala at T1 treatment.
Table 4.3.5: Nodule No. of leguminous agroforestry seedlings grown in polybag treated with different media under nursery conditions
| Treatments | Leguminous Agroforestry trees | ||||
| Acacia mangium | A. hybrid | A. auriculiformis | Albizia lebbeck | Leucaena leucocephala | |
| T0 | 8.30a | 10.70a* | 7.30a | 20.00a | 4.10a |
| T1 | 5.40b | 4.20b | 6.00b | 12.5b | 1.00b |
| T2 | .28c | .00c | .00c | 20.00a | .00c |
| T3 | .00c | .00c | .00c | 4.10c | .00c |
| T4 | .00c | .00c | .00c | 6.00c | .00c |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
Figure 4.3.4 Relative nodulation ratio (RNR) of agroforestry tree seedlings in different treatments.
Photograph 4.26 Effect of different treatments on nodulation against control
(Acacia auriculiformis )
Photograph 4.27 Effect of different treatments on nodulation against control
(Acacia mangium )
Photograph 4.28 Effect of different treatments on nodulation against control
(Acacia hybrid )
Photograph 4.29 Effect of different treatments on nodulation against control
(Albizia lebbeck )
Photograph 4.30 Effect of different treatments on nodulation against control
(Leucaena leucocephala )
4.3.6 Nodule size (mm)
The nodule sizes of leguminous agroforestry tree seedlings are shown in Table 4.3.6. It was observed that the fertilizer treatments had the significant effect negatively on the increment of the nodule sizes. It was highly apparent in Albizia lebbeck in nodules were present in each treatment. The highest nodule size (3.67mm) was found at T1 treatment in case of A. lebbeck followed by (3.36mm) at T0 in case of same species, while the lowest (1.20mm) was found in case of A. mangium at T2 treatment.
Table 4.3.6: Nodule size (mm) of leguminous agroforestry seedlings grown in polybag treated with different media under nursery conditions
| Treatments | Leguminous Agroforestry trees | ||||
| Acacia mangium | A. hybrid | A. auriculiformis | Albizia lebbeck | Leucaena leucocephala | |
| T0 | 2.73a | 2.27a* | 2.21a | 3.36a | 2.06a |
| T1 | 2.06b | 2.35a | 1.73b | 3.67a | 1.37b |
| T2 | 1.20c | .00b | .00c | 2.32b | .00c |
| T3 | .00d | .00b | .00c | 1.65c | .00c |
| T4 | .00d | .00b | .00c | 1.22c | .00c |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
4.3.7 Number of Leaves
Fertilizer applications have significant positive effect on the leaf no. (Table 4.1.7) of different leguminous agroforestry tree seedlings. In most of the cases the highest number of leaves were recorded at T4 treatment. Generally, there was a trend of increasing leaf numbers from T0-T1 treatment. The highest data (11.40) was recorded at T3 treatment followed by 10.80 at T4 treatment, both in the case of Acacia mangium (Table 4.3.7). And the lowest leaf number was observed at T1 treatment in A. hybrid. The highest relative leaf ratio (RLR) was found in A. mangium (137.5%) at T3 treatment while the lowest (73.9%) was in L. leucocephala at T2 treatment.
Table 4.3.7: Leaf No. of leguminous agroforestry seedlings grown in polybag treated with different media under nursery conditions
| Treatments | Leguminous Agroforestry trees | ||||
| Acacia mangium | A. hybrid | A. auriculiformis | Albizia lebbeck | Leucaena leucocephala | |
| T0 | 8.30b | 7.90ab* | 7.70b | 7.70b | 9.40ab |
| T1 | 8.30b | 6.80b | 8.30b | 8.20b | 9.90a |
| T2 | 10.10ab | 8.80a | 8.00b | 9.50a | 6.95b |
| T3 | 11.40a | 7.60ab | 9.85a | 10.40a | 8.00ab |
| T4 | 10.80a | 8.10ab | 10.35a | 10.50a | 8.10ab |
*Values in the columns followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly different (p<0.05)>
Figure 4.3.5 Relative leaf ratio (RLR) of agroforestry tree seedlings in different tretments.
4.3.8 Nodule shape and color
The shape of nodules of the selected species varied considerably. The nodule shapes in Mimosoideae were fan-shaped, finger shaped, lobed and semi-globose. In Papilionoideae the nodule shapes were bifurcate, globose and elongated.
Table 4.3.8: Characteristics of nodules of five agroforestry tree species in Bangladesh
| Species | Family | Nodule Morphology |
| Acacia spp. | Mimosoideae | Fan shaped |
| Albizia spp. | Mimosoideae | Finger-shaped, semi-globose and lobed |
| Leucaena leucocephala | Mimosoideae | Branched, elongated |
Nodules of, Acacia spp. Leucaena leucocephala were mostly brown in color and rough-surfaced. Most of the young nodules of rest of Albizia spp. (Used in experiment) were round, white and smooth-surfaced while older nodules were of various shapes.
