Root performance of air-layered calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa) using various organic soil media

¹ Guimaras State University-Baterna Campus, Constancia, 5047 San Lorenzo, Guimaras, Philippines
² Guimaras State University-Mango and Tropical Fruits Research Center, Constancia, 5047 San Lorenzo, Guimaras, Philippines

^* Corresponding author: rheajoy.flora@gsc.edu.ph

Abstract

The study aimed to introduce organic soil amendments as rooting media and observe the root performance of air-layered calamansi using various organic soil media. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design using seven treatments. The results revealed that the root performance of air-layered calamansi using various organic soil media had highly significant effects (p<0.01) in terms of the number of days to root appearance, number of primary roots, the average and maximum length of primary roots, root diameter and root dry weight but showed no significant effects (p>0.05) on rooting and survival percentage. Wherein using vermicompost leads to earliest root appearance (26.93 days), maximum number of primary roots (11.93), longest average (3.03 cm) and maximum length of primary roots (3.97 cm), thickest root diameter (0.8714 mm), and highest rooting percentage (100%), further, the heaviest root dry weight (0.1857 g) was in using Garden Soil + Vermicompost. Meanwhile, Garden Soil + Bokashi recorded the poorest performance in all tested parameters. The enhancement of root performance of calamansi air-layers could be attributed to the physical, chemical, and biological properties of vermicompost, containing significant quantities of nutrients, a large beneficial microbial population, and biologically active metabolites that serve as plant growth regulators.