A
Completely Randomized Design with 2*2 factors was carried out in Livestock
Research Center, NAFRI, Laos from 5th
to 12th October, 2005 to study effects of with or without peeling of
stem of Tithonia diversifolia and different of soils on germination of this
tree including: soil 2:1 (2 soil mixed 1 earthworm compost) with peeling of the
stem of Tithonia diversifolia (S 2:1 – P); soil 2:1 (2 soil mixed 1 earthworm compost)
with non peeling of the stem of Tithonia diversifolia (S 2:1 – NP); soil 2:2 (2 soil mixed 2 earthworm compost) with
peeling of the stem of Tithonia diversifolia (S 2:2 – P); soil 2:2 (2 soil mixed 2 earthworm compost)
with non peeling of the stem of Tithonia diversifolia (S 2:2 – NP).
Tithonia diversifolia was germinated early (2 days after
planting) and proportion up to 80-90% after 8 days planting. The cuttings with
peeling and the cutting planted on the soil 2:2 more rapidly germinated than
the cutting non-peeling and the cutting planted on soil 2:1. The proportion of
the cuttings had first leaves appearance after 8 days planted was 50-60%.
Key words: Tithonia diversifolia, germination, leaves appearance, peeling, earthworm compost
Tree crops are highly appropriate for the
tropical countries. They capture a large amount of solar energy and, in high
and low rainfall areas; they produce sustainable yields of biomass. They reduce
erosion, improve soil structure and fertility and plants with shallow roots can
be grown under the trees (Preston T R, Leng R A. 1987).
Tithonia diversifolia (Wild Sunflower) is
a shrub native to Central America but which has become naturalized in countries
throughout the tropics, being found in Kenya, India, Ceylon, Cuba, Colombia
(Katto and Salazar. 1995) and we are also found it in Lao, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Important features are its high biomass yield and rapid rate of re-growth after
cutting, tolerance to acid soils of low fertility and high protein content
(about 20% in dry matter) and dry matter degradability in sacco (90%
after 48h). Katto and Salazar (1995) also reported that it is used as forage
for sheep and guinea pigs as well, with protein levels of up to 28.5% in the
leaves (dry weight). Mahecha and Rosales
(2005) showed that this species has