Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth and Nutrient Uptake by Young Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.)

Abstract

Sustainable cacao cultivation in Ghana has been seriously hampered by high seedling mortality due to the low soil fertility of lands used for the establishment of new cacao farms. Alleviating the low soil fertility to enhance sustainable cacao cultivation requires the use of fertilizers. A study was therefore conducted at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana to determine the effect of integrated application of poultry manure (PM) and sulphate of ammonia (SOA) fertilizers on survival, growth, and nutrient uptake by cacao seedlings under marginal field conditions. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used to evaluate the effects of six treatments. Traits assessed were percentage survival, height, trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), and nutrient uptake. Results from the study showed no significant differences in soil N and K among the treatments. PM-amended plots had significantly higher soil P than nonamended control and SOA alone. Seedling survival rate ranged from 73.3 to 89.3% with a higher proportion of surviving plants in PM amended soils. The application of PM alone and its combination with SOA improved growth. Cacao trees of T4 (75% recommended dosage of SOA + PM) had the largest TCSA increment, which was significantly different from the other soil treatments. Leaf nutrient concentrations in cacao of T4 were higher than the other soil treatments. It was therefore concluded that T4 could be used during cacao establishment in marginal areas for improved plant survival and growth.

Exploring the Use of Solid Biofertilisers to Mitigate the Effects of Phytophthora Oak Root Disease

“…It was expected that the plant survival after P. cinnamomi inoculation would increase with Biohumin ® treatment, as reported for other inorganic and organic fertilisers [59,60]. In this study, it was observed that the plants fertilised with 12.5% Biohumin ® or not fertilised had higher survival rates than the plants fertilised with 25% Biohumin ® , across all the non-infested treatments.…”

The Effect of Application of Various Fertilizers on Cocoa Plant Growth

“…Because of that utilization of waste Agriculture, plantation cocoa worthy conducted because fertilizer organic capable increase production plant and improving fertility soil in the cultivation of cocoa (Young et al, 2021). Besides, the application of fertilizer organic and inorganic explained in the study Dogbatse et al (2021) mention integrated nutrients from soil marginal will be very useful for nutrition tree cocoa. Although N upgrade is available with SOA (Sulfur of Ammonium), the application of SOA (Sulfur of Ammonium) produces tree cocoa with TCSA (trunk cross-sectional area) smaller than other treatments that are changed with PM (poultry manure).…”

Increased cocoa production due to organic fertilizer application

“…Applying fertilizer is a typical way that is used by farmers to maintain soil fertility through replenishing nutrient stocks and maintaning soil acidity [2]. Fertilization is one of the important inputs given to plants so that they can grow and develop properly [3]. At the time of fertilization, based on chemical compounds, fertilizers are divided into two, namely organic and inorganic fertilizers.…”