- By Ernesto S. Elefan
ABSTRACT
Beauty leaf (Calophyllum inophyllum L.) is an emerging energy tree indigenous in the Philippines. This screen house study was carried-out to determine its early growth response to five bio-fertilizers namely Azotobacter, Bio Green, MyKo Vam, Vam Root Inoculant, and Bio N when compared with the Untreated-control. The experimental treatments were laid-out in a Randomized Complete Block Design, each replicated three times. The planting medium was a mixture of clean river and clay loam soil in 2:1 ratio and oven-sterilized at 80 for the 3 hours before sowing the shelled seeds. Results showed that plant height and root length are comparable in Azotobacter, Bio Green, MyKo Vam, and Vam Root but significantly different from Bio N and Untreated-control. All bio-fertilizers have comparable shoot dry matter weight but were significantly different from the Untreated-control. A significantly highest root dry weight was registered by Azotobacter over the four other bio-fertilizers. Final leaf count, shoot base diameter, fresh shoot and root biomass, however, did not differ significantly among all treatments. Based on the results, Azotobacter, Bio Green, MyKo Vam, and Vam Root Inoculant are potential bio-fertilizers for Beauty leaf under a screen house condition. A field study, however, is suggested for further performance evaluation of the materials.