Thesis (BS Biology) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2000

The study aimed to develop a new set of seedling production management practices based on the use of float technique. For the first experiment, different solid media, varying only in the amount of Slow release fertilizer, were tested. Different nutrient solutions were examined in the second experiment which varied in the amount of borax and seaweed hydrolysate. The combination of the best and second best results of the borax and seaweed hydrolysate. The combination of the best and second best results of the first two experiments determined the treatments used for the third experiment. For all the three experiments, a Styrofoam seedling tray which contained the solid media and seeds was made to float in a pan tray filled with nutrient solution. After 3 to 4 weeks of germination, fresh weight and root-shoot ratio were obtained. Completely Randomized design (CRD) was used for data analysis. Duncan?s Multiple Range test (DMRT) was used for mean separation. Results showed no significant difference among the solid media. However, the treatment having no Slow Release (S2) gave the least cost. The best nutrient solution was treatment L3 which contained as amount of 0.14 ml/L of seaweed hydrolysate and 0.038 g/L of borax. Higher concentration of these components significantly reduced the growth of the seedlings. In the third experiment, the treatment with the combined best solid medium (S4) and best solution (L3) gave the best result