ABSTRACT
Soursop is a multipurpose crop of international interest because of its commercial importance and medicinal value. A screen house experiment was conducted to study the effect of different potting media and watering regime on the seedling growth of soursop (Annona muricata L.). The experiment consisted of sixteen treatments (top soil, top soil + cow dung, top soil + poultry manure, top soil + cow dung + poultry manure and their different watering regimes: every day, every 3 days, every 5 days and every 7 days). These treatments were arranged in all possible combinations to give 16 treatments and fitted into a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Plant growth was assessed through plant height, collar girth, number of leaves, dry weight, fresh weight, root length and root/shoot ratio.
Results showed that potting media and watering regime had an effect on the plant height, collar girth, dry weight, fresh weight and root length of the plant but did not affect the number of leaves and the root/shoot ratio. This study, also indicated that potting media containing top soil, cow dung and poultry manure watered everyday gave the best result for growth of soursop seedlings (collar girth 1.667, plant height 37.30, dry weight 24.533, fresh weight 32.87, root length 17.07). However potting media containing top soil and cow dung watered every seven days seemed to suggest a much better option where water availability and labour for watering pose some constraint or economic limitations
It is expected that findings from this study will enhance the propagation and cultivation of soursop especially now that its nutritional and medicinal values are better appreciated.
