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Growth of
cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) seedlings on old cocoa
soils amended with organic and inorganic fertilizers
Olanipekun
Samson Oyewole1*, I. Omueti John Ajayi2
and R. Ipinmoroti Rotimi3
1Institute
of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo
University, Moor plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria.
2Department
of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan,
Nigeria.
3Cocoa
Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ijebu-Ode
Road, Ibadan, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail
olanipekunsam@yahoo.com.
Accepted 2 May, 2012 |
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A greenhouse study was conducted for six months to
investigate the response of cocoa seedlings to organic and
inorganic fertilizers. The treatments were cocoa pod husk (CPH),
kola pod husk (KPH), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium
(K), N + P, N, CPH +N, CPH +NP, CPH + NPK, KPH + N, KPH +
NP, KPH + NPK and control. The mineral fertilizers were
applied at the rate of 10 kg N ha-1 while the
organic fertilizers (CPH and KPH) were at the rate of 2.5 t
ha-1 and the combination of the two in 5 kg soil
arranged in completely randomized design (CRD) replicated
three times. The seedlings were regularly watered and data
were collected on growth parameters. The performance of
cocoa seedlings across the two locations as demonstrated by
the results show that CPH and KPH could be used as sources
of nutrient. However, these materials are not sufficient to
meet the nutritional demand of the crop, hence, their is need for
fortification with mineral fertilizer. CPH and/or KPH
fortified with mineral fertilizers will aid the growth of
cocoa seedling on old cocoa soil irrespective of the
location. The percentage germination of the cocoa seedling
was enhanced by the use of this organic material 73 and 95%
for Ibadan and Mayo-Selbe, respectively. The treatment had a
positive effect on the nitrogen level of the soil as CPH
(8.14) and is slightly higher than NPK (6.99).
Key words:
Cocoa pod husk (CPH), kola pod husk (KPH), cocoa plantation,
cocoa seedlings, soil amelioration, fertilizers. |
