Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Mulch on Growth of Troyer Citrange (Citrus sinensis x Poncirus trifoliata) Seedlings

A greenhouse and plastic house experiments was conducted at Adet Agricultural Research Center and Mertule Mariam Agricultural Technical and Vocation Educational and Training College, in Amhara National Regional State, Northwest of Ethiopia. The objective of the experiments was to determine the effect of alfalfa mulch on growth of Troyer Citrange seedlings. To see the mulch effect 100g dry saw dust was mixed with 160, 120, 80, and 40g of dry alfalfa. Randomized completer block design was used with 7 replications. Significant difference in seedling length, number of leaves, seedling diameter, dry weight and leaf area were observed. However, Leaf area ratio was not significantly affected by alfalfa mulch. The highest seedling height, leaf numbers, seedling diameter, dry weight and leaf area were recorded by 120 g alfalfa mulch. The result of the study have revealed that seedling length, number of leaves, seedling diameter, dry weight and leaf area of Troyer Citrange can be increased by manipulating amount of alfalfa mix in mulch.