Reduction of the mangosteen tree (Garcinia mangostana L) production cycle: effect of soil type and fertilizers

Abstract

Background The mangosteen tree (Garcinia mangostana L.) is a very slow-growing tree that takes between 8 and 15 years before bearing its first fruits. This slow growth and late fruiting of the plant constitute a real obstacle to its adoption and its propagation in rural areas. In Côte d'Ivoire, these constraints have led to the limitation of cultivation to small farms belonging to a few producers, whereas it could constitute an alternative to the diversification of agricultural income and contribute to poverty reduction in rural areas. This study was therefore initiated with the aim of evaluating the effects of soil type and fertilizers on the agronomic parameters of mangosteen tree growth in order to contribute to the shortening of its vegetative phase. Results The results of this study showed the significant effect of soil type and fertilizers on mangosteen growth parameters. The evaluation of the effect of soil type and fertilizers on the agronomic performance of mangosteen showed that lowland soil promotes better plant growth. The growth rates recorded after 36 months of monitoring were 53.08 ± 7.30% in mangosteen trees grown on lowland soil and 41.51 ± 13.43% in those grown on forest soil.. Also, foliar and granular N-P-K fertilizers favored a shortening of the onset of fruiting from the 5th year of cultivation. Conclusions The results testified to the clear importance of the contribution of fertilizers in the management and the shortening of the juvenile phase of the mangosteen tree. Fertilizers based on foliar fertilizer and NPK have recorded remarkable performances by favoring a shortening of the entry into fruiting of mangosteen trees from the fifth year of cultivation.