Response of <I>Ailanthus excelsa</I> to N and P Fertilization on an Arid Sandy Soil

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of varying levels of nitrogen (0, 9 and 18g N per plant) and phosphorus(0, 3 and 6 g P₂O₅, per plant) in factorial combinations, on the growth of Ailanthus excelsa planted on an arid sandy soil in Rajasthan. Nitrogen application at the rate of 9g N per plant improved the plant height by 24 per cent when recorded after one year of plantation. Phosphorus application at the rate of 6 g P₂O₅ per plant improved the root length by 27 per cent and root spread five folds after one year of plantation. Preplant application of 9g N combined with 6g P₂O₅, per plant was the best treatment which improved the height of two year old trees from 144 to 213 cm.