Abstract

A 3 raised to 3 factorial experiment with N, P and K was conducted on the growth of Bambusa arundinacea seedlings in pots. N was applied at 20, 40 and 60 g, P at 9, 18 and 27 g and K at 25, 50 and 75 g per pot to Bambusa arundinacea seedlings and the biomass estimated. The results indicate that N, P and K at all levels and combinations increased the biomass production significantly over the control except for N(3) P(3) K(3) which showed a retarding effect. Among levels 1, 2 and 3, a significant difference was observed only in the case of N and specifically in shoot and rhizome production. Interaction between N and P was significant in the production of leaf, shoot, root and rhizome while K interacted with N, P and NP in the production of shoots. N was found to be the most important element for enhancing biomass production, while P was effective in combination with N. K exerted only a minimum influence. N(2) P(3) K(1) was selected as the best treatment combination through