This study describes the effect of inorganic fertilizers (Urea and NPK 20:10:10) on Garcinia kola and Piper guineense seedlings in nursery for 28 weeks. The experiment involved 16 treatments, six replicates and 96 seedlings per species. Growth characters were assessed fortnightly. Fertilizer treatments significantly (P≤0.05) affected mainly the height, leaf number and, leaf area of G. kola and P guineense seedlings. Seedlings of G. kola treated with 2400 mg NPK had the highest mean height (14.3 cm) and biomass (6.33 g), while seedlings treated with 600 mg NPK, had the greatest mean collar diameter (4.03 mm) and leaf number (7.83).  For P. guineense, the highest mean vine length (125.0 cm), leaf number (19.67), and total leaf area (798 cm2) were recorded in seedlings treated with 1200 mg NPK. The highest mean vine diameter (4.22 mm) and biomass (15.27 g) were determined in seedlings treated with 400 mg urea + 600 mg NPK and 1600 mg urea + 1200 mg NPK, respectively. Results showed an increase in the rate of NPK (20: 10: 10) fertilizer or its combination with urea fertilizer can be used to raise vigorous seedlings of the studied species in the nursery for agroforestry systems.

 

Key words: Fertilizers, height, vine length, collar diameter, leaf area, dry matter or biomass, root/ shoot ratio.