EFFECTS OF GMELINA ARBOREA BARK AND AZADIRACHTA INDICA LEAF POWDERS ON GERMINATION AND SEEDLING VIGOUR OF CORCHORUS OLITORIUS (JUTE MALLOW)

Effects of plants extract powders is the application of these extracts is to improved and increase the germination, emergence of the seedlings. Efficacy of Gmelina arborea bark and Azadirachta indica leaf powders on the germination and seedling vigour of Corchorus olitorius (jute mallow) was evaluated. Top loam soil was collected from Agriculture Research farmland of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria and sterilized at 50 C for an hour. Gmelina arborea bark and Azadirachta indica leaf were obtained from Gmelina arborea and Azadirachta indica leaves were also collected from the farmland and pulverized into powder form. Two kilograms (2 kg) of sterile soil samples in twenty one (21) polythene bags were amended with Gmelina arborea bark powder and Azadirachta indica leaf powders at different concentrations (100 g, 150 g, and 200 g) each in triplicates. Soil samples contained in three of the polyethylene bags were left un-amended to serve as control. Corchorus olitorius seeds was procured from the harvested farmland and were planted and raised in each polythene bag for a period of twelve (12) weeks. Azadirachta indica leaf powder had a significant impact on the growth of Corchorus olitorius (shoot length = 26.52 cm; root collar diameter = 0.33 cm, number of leaves = 21) at p < 0.05 compared to the control group (20.60 cm, 0.24 cm and 16 respectively) and its effects improved with increase in concentration. Gmelina arborea bark powder also had a less significant impact on the plant growth parameters (6.45 cm, 0.14 cm and 9 respectively) compared to the control. Its effect decreased with increase in concentration. Azadirachta indica leaf powder is a much better and more effective organic amendment than Gmelina arborea bark powder and could be employed by Corchorus olitorius farmers to improve soil fertility and crop yield.