Enhanced rootstock production through carbon dioxide enrichment in the tropical fruit tree, jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.)
1,6Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvanthapuram – 695522, Kerala Agricultural University. 2,3Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvanthapuram – 695522, Kerala Agricultural University. 4Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvanthapuram – 695522, Kerala Agricultural University. 5 Farming Systems Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Sadanandapuram, Kottarakkara, Kollam – 691531, Kerala Agricultural University. Corresponding e-mail:priyakumari.i@kau.in
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2025.v27i04.127
The effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) enrichment through trench system on the growth of jackfruit seedlings was investigated. Seedlings were grown under four experimental treatments comprising two CO2 treatments (elevated CO2 environment and elevated CO2 environment with 3% urea spray at a fortnightly interval) and two standard conditions (urea spray at 3% at a fortnightly interval and control). Rootstocks under elevated CO2 conditions and a 3% foliar urea spray for 60 or 120 days showed the best growth responses. Significant differences were observed among the growth parameters like shoot height, shoot girth, number of leaves (at 60 and 120 days after sowing), leaf area, root weight, shoot weight and dry matter production (at 120 days after sowing). The peak CO2 level was 769 ppm; the average level measured was approximately 200 ppm higher than the surrounding atmosphere. Modifying the microclimate by generating carbon dioxide from decomposing organic compounds, such as coir pith, within a trench system, along with additional nitrogen fertilization, is a cost-effective method for increasing the active rootstock of jackfruit, which is important for improving the success rate of vegetative propagation through the budding method.
