Growth of albizia lebbeck [L.] Benth, and leucaena leucocephala [LAM.] De-wit, in different soil compositions of karachi university campus soil

ABSTRACT

The growth of Albizia lebbeck [L.] Benth, and Leucaena leucocephala [Lam] de-Wit, were studied in soils collected from Karachi University area under natural ecological circumstances. Various growth variables of A. lebbeck and L. leucocephala were reduced from different soil composition [25, 50 and 75%] of Karachi University soil [sandy soil] as compared to Garden soil. Growth of L. leucocephala in comparison of A. lebbeck was significantly decreased in all of the proportions of University soil. 50% University soil caused diminution in a large number of growth parameters of A. lebbeck, particularly considerable inhibition was observed in plant height, plant cover, seedling length, root length, shoot length, leaf area, shoot dry weight and total plant dry weights than Garden soil. 75% soil markedly retarded leaves growth and leaflets numbers, whereas root and leaf dry weights were substantially lessened by 50 and 75% soils. Root/shoot ratio and leaf weight ratio were manifestly stunted in the treatment of 25% soil. In the case of L. leucocephala, almost cumulative growth properties except shoot dry weight were depleted using all ratios of University soil comparatively to Garden soil. 75% University soil especially showed more pronounced declination in plant height, plant cover, numbers of leaves and leaflets, leaf area, root, leaf and total plant dry weights, root/shoot, leaf weight and leaf area ratios of L. leucocephala as related to Garden soil. 25% soil exhibited appreciably regretting growth in root, shoot and seedling length while, specific leaf area was adversely affected from application of 50% soil