Abstract:
True cinnamon comes from Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume family Lauraceae is one
of the oldest tree species indigenous to Sri Lanka. The objective of this research was
to investigate the effect of various alternative potting mixtures on the growth of
cinnamon seedlings. Half burnt paddy husk, Concentric Microbial Solution (CMS) and
gliricidia solution were the selected organic substances which used for the potting
mixture along with the subsoil. Treatments comprised two levels of Half Burnt Paddy
Husk (availability and non-availability), four levels of CMS (0%, 4%, 10%, 20%) and
two levels of gliricidia solution (availability and non-availability). The experimental
design was split-split plot design with four replications. Half Burnt Paddy Husk was in
the main plots, levels of CMS in the sub-plots and gliricidia solution in the sub-sub
plots. All together there were 16 treatment combinations and control plot was
prepared using Department of Export Agriculture recommended potting mixture coir
dust: top soil: cow dung: sand (1:1:1:1). Results indicated that the availability of half
burnt paddy husk in the nursery media significantly enhances the seedlings' height
and total root length by about 7% and 22%, respectively. The highest concentration
of CMS significantly enhances the total root length by about 32%. Significantly highest
microbial activity was detected in the highest concentration of CMS. But when
compared to the control, all the treatments were showed poor vegetative growth,
soil chemical and biological properties. It can be concluded that the availability of half
burnt paddy husk and the highest concentration of CMS significantly enhanced
seedling's vegetative growth while CMS enhanced the soil's biological properties.
