EFFECT OF VARIOUS GROWING MEDIA COMBINATIONS ON ROOT ARCHITECTURE OF ROUGH LEMON (Citrus jambhiri LUSH) AND PONCIRUS (Citrus trifoliata) ROOTSTOCKS FOR HEALTHY CITRUS NURSERY PRODUCTION

Bio-materials play a vital role for plant growth and production as they anchor roots and allow the transport of water and nutrients to the root system. In this regard, a research was conducted at Citrus Research Institute, Sargodha to evaluate the impact of growing media (peat moss, compost, soil, silt, sand, saw dust and leaf manure) in 14 different combinations for rough lemon and trifoliate rootstocks. Five plants per treatment were inserted in black polythene bags filled with the required media under Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and data will be analyzed by STATISTIX 8.1 software package. Data on various root parameters, soil physical and chemical analyses were carried out from treatments were analyzed for determination of N, P, K. Physical analysis of soil mixes i.e. moisture percentage shows that optimum values for citrus nursery production were observed in peat moss+soil+saw dust, leaf manure+soil+saw dust, leaf manure+silt+saw dust and leaf manure+soil+sand. Poor results were observed in soil (controlled) due to more compaction of soil particles. Chemical analysis of soil potting medias i.e. pH, EC, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents showed favorable results for citrus plant growth and development in soil+silt+saw dust, gave high values of above parameters which showed adverse effect on plant growth and development. Nutrient analysis report of plant leaves i.e. N, P, and K showed these nutrient statuses of soil high in those plants, which were grow well especially in soil+silt+sand, soil+silt+saw dust, leaf manure+silt+saw dust and leaf manure+soil+sand in rough lemon seedling. It was concluded that media combinations containing peat mass+soil+saw dust and leaf manure+soil+saw dust were highly efficient for growth and development of root architecture.