The effect of wood ash on the germination and growth of solanum esculentum.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of wood ash application on different parameters of Solanum esculentum including seed germination, internode length, and leaf number. The seeds of S. esculentum were grown at different doses of wood ash (0, 8, 15, 30g (wood Ash)/kg (soil)) and the effect on various parameters was determined. Wood ash significantly inhibited seed germination at doses of 30g/kg. At lower concentrations of wood ash, most of the growth parameters of seedlings were stimulated, but at higher concentrations of wood ash most of the studied parameters were adversely affected. Wood ash was found to be very detrimental to S. esculentum when applied at 30g/kg. It is concluded that at very high concentration, wood ash can be detrimental to plants; however, its application at lower application rate can be recommended.