Growth Performance of Bay (Laurus nobilis L.) Under Different Amount, Period of Watering and NPK

Abstract

The aim of this work was to estimate the growth of Laurus nobilis seedlings under different levels, period of water and its interaction with NPK. Different amounts of water (150, 300 and 400) ml/polyethylene bag and irrigation intervals (two different scales are considered, once per week and once per two weeks) were used in addition to different amounts of NPK (zero (control), 500, 1000 ppm). Multi‐measurements and strategy was utilized for measuring stem length, stem diameter, root length, root diameter, moisture content, stem wet weight, stem dry weight, root wet weight, root dry weight and shoot root ratio. The results showed that bay seedlings had significantly affected by water amount (150ml) as well as water period (once per two weeks). Water deficit is therefore more commonly limiting seedlings growth than NPK through growing season. Therefore, sensitivity of bay seedlings to limitation water has indicated that decreasing in stem length, stem diameter, number of leaves, root diameter, moisture content, stem wet weight, stem dry weight, root wet weight, root dry weight and root shoot ratio (12.56cm, 3.35mm, 17, 3.66mm, 3.67%, 5.42g, 5.59g, 5.96g, 4.99g, 0.05). However, seedlings with three interaction (450ml, once/week and 1000ppm) had displayed significant differences through stem length, number of leaves, root diameter, moisture content, stem wet weight, stem dry weight, and root wet weight, root dry weight and root shoot ratio (28.16cm, 29, 6.57mm, 19.33%, 11.85g, 8.35g, 8.10g, 6.26g, 1.37 respectively). It is concluded that Laurus nobilis seedlings could not success in this area, especially under low water availability.