Biofertilizers for physic nut (Jatropha curcas l.) grown in different planting media

Abstract

Physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.), locally known as Kasla, is a small tree of plant family Euphorbiaceae, that grows widely in the Philippines. It has recently gained global interest because of its seed oil that can be used for blending with diesel producing an ecology-friendly biofuel as an alternative source of energy. This study compared the early growth response of Physic nut to the interactions of single seed inoculation of biofertilizers Azotobacter, Effective Microorganisms (EM), and Bio N and different planting media consisted of garden soil (Sta. Rita clay loam), humus (decomposed rice hull), river sand, and their mixture on 1:1:1 ratio over the uninoculated control. It was carried out in a 4 x 4 factorial experiment in randomized complete block design with 16 treatment combinations and four replications.

Azotobacter x 1:1:1 mixture and EM x humus interactions produced significantly (P<0.05) taller plants. Fresh matter weight per plant was significantly (P<0.05) highest in Azotobacter x Humus and Bio N x Humus interactions. Leaf count, shoot base diameter, and dry matter weight per plant, on the other hand, were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by the biofertilizers and planting media interaction. Humus showed to be most promising growing mediun for Kasla as revealed by the significant (P<0.05) results in plant height, leaf count, shoot base diameter, fresh matter weight, and dry matter weight per plant. A 1:1:1 mixture, however, can be a good alternative. Using garden soil, either EM or Bio N can be used. However, with sand as a planting medium, EM can be applied as a seed microinoculant.