Essential nutrient profiling of natural and steam sterilized soil and soilless media components was performed to obtain better
rough lemon seedling growth in containers. Steam sterilization of potting media components did not alter physico-chemical
properties of the media. Three fold higher seed germination (95%), two fold better seedling growth 9.17 cm plant height and
more leaf area 14.4 cm-2 was observed in sterilized sand media compared with conventional nursery media containing sand, silt
and farm yard manure (w/w, 1:1:1). Media amendment with coco coir enhanced plant growth; up to three fold including seedling
survival (90%), shoot length 5.25 cm and stem girth 0.63cm. Two fold increase in leaf size 21.17 cm length and 14 cm width,
three fold higher numbers of leaves 6.33, two fold more number of roots 30.17 and root length 12.65 cm were obtained in coir
media compared with control and other organic media amendments. These findings suggest a wider application of cost-effective
environment friendly steam sterilization and coco-coir as organic media amendment for enhanced nursery growth in healthy
environment in containers.
M. Usman, M.H. Shah, A. Badar, B. Fatima, M. Sabir, Q. Zaman. (2014) Media Steaming And Coco-coir Enhance Growth Of Rough Lemon (Citrus Jambhiri L.) Stock, , Volume-51, Issue-3.
