Effect of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) organic extract on the growth of pencil Cedar (Juniperus procera) seedlings

A natural growth stimulant, triacontanol can be extracted from commonly grown alfalfa, which might be used as a growth promoter for seedlings. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of alfalfa crude extract on growth of J. procera seedlings. 15 g of equal mixed alfalfa leaves and shoots were soaked in one litter of tap water for 24 hrs, 36 hrs, 48 hrs, 60 hrs and 72 hrs. A 200 ml extract was applied on factorial arranged J. procera seedlings at 5 days, 10 days, 15 days and 20 days interval in Randomized Complete Block Design with 6 replications. J. procera seedling height and dry weight was significantly affected by soaking time and application interval. However, both the height and dry weight were not significantly affected by the interaction effects of soaking time and application interval of the alfalfa water extract. The results of the study have revealed that application of alfalfa water extract could be used as a growth promoter to increase seedling length and dry weight of the seedlings.

Author(s): Dagne Mamo, Gebeyehu Getachew and Tafesse Kibatu*

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