Co-limitation of nitrogen and phosphorus causes culm shortness in the aged Murta (Schumannianthus dichotomus) plantation

Abstract

Murta (Schumannianthus dichotomus), a forest species grown in the swamp lands of Eastern India and Bangladesh, is used for weaving traditional bed mat, conventionally known as Sital Pati. Although long culm is a desirable trait for Murta, culm shortening is a usual phenomenon in the aged plantation. However, the causes of culm shortening were not explored yet. Herein, we conducted a field experiment in five years old plantation using six treatments, i.e., F1=control, F2= cow dung @ 1500 kg ha-1, F3= urea, TSP and MoP @ 13.33, 16.66 and 8.33 kg ha-1 respectively, F4 = combined application of F2 and F3, but urea application at two equal splits, F5= cow dung @ 1500 kg ha-1 and urea, TSP and MoP application respectively @ 16.66, 16.66 and 8.33 kg ha-1, urea application in three splits (6.67+6.67+3.33 kg ha-1) and F6 = combined application of cow dung @ 1500 kg ha-1 and urea, TSP, MoP application @ 20, 16.66 and 8.33 respectively, urea application at three equal splits of 6.67 kg ha-1. Results revealed that combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers (F5) increased in new plant production rate and plant height. With a second experiment, we investigated which of the nutrients were responsible for culm shortness using three differently aged plantations, i.e., 5, 15 and 25 years of old. Results showed that a combined limitation of N and P was responsible for culm shortness and reduced growth in Murta. Thus, our findings will help to maintain productivity of aged Murta plantation