Abstract:
The objectives of this research were to study on the effect of organic and
chemical fertilizers on growth characteristics of Karanda (Carissa carandas Linn.) was
carried out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 replications. Twenty one
treatments were control (no fertilizer, T1); four rates (150, 300, 450 and 600 g per pot,
T2-T13) of three organic fertilizers (chicken, cattle and pig manures) and four rates (50,
100, 200 and 300 g per pot, T14-T21) of two inorganic fertilizers (formula 16-16-16 and
46-0-0). Half amount of fertilizer was applied to the treatments at the starting day of
experiment and the remaining was applied on 37 days after starting the experiment. The
results revealed that the treatment receiving inorganic fertilizers for 4 rates showed
necrosis and died during the experiment. There was significant difference in the plant
length, number of new branches, fresh weight and dry weight of new branches between
the control and organic fertilizers treatments. The rate at 600 g per pot of the chicken
manure treatment showed the highest results of plant length, number of new branches,
fresh weight and dry weight of new branches. The chicken manure treatment tended to
be higher growth than the cow manure and pig manure treatments.