Comparative Effects of Cocoa Pod Husk and Oil Palm Bunch Ash on Nutrient Uptake, Growth and Dry Matter Yield of Cocoa (The-obroma cacao) in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria

Olorunfemi Sunday Ojo Akanbi,Beatrice Abanum Nduka,C I Iloyanomo,Amos Olatunde Famaye,Rufus Rotimi Ipinmoroti,Olayinka Olufemi Olaniyi,Seun Adewale Adeosun

doi:10.4236/as.2014.511113

Abstract

The high premium placed on the organically produced cocoa in the international market coupled with its health and environmental benefits necessitated recent focus on research into the use of agricultural wastes as source of nutrients in cocoa (T. cacao) production. The study was carried out at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan (Lat. 7&deg25'N Long. 3&deg25'E), South-western, Nigeria during the 2010/2011 seedling production season to compare the effects of NPK (20:10:10) fertilizer, Cocoa Pod Husk and Oil Palm Bunch Ash (CPHA and OPA) on the seedling growth and dry matter yield of cocoa (T. cacao). Equivalent amount of different rates of two nutrients sources CPHA and OPA were applied one month after planting at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 t/ha respectively, recommended rate of 10 kg·N of the conventional NPK (20:10:10). Fertilizer was used as reference fertilizer. Results indicated that all the fertilizer materials positively and significantly (p > 0.05) increased the growth parameters considered. The influence of the ash materials irrespective of sources on the nutrient uptake, dry matter yield of cocoa seedlings and shoot to root ratio were either higher than or had a comparable results with the reference fertilizer (NPK 20:10:10). CPHA and OPA applied at a rate of 4 t/ha significantly (p > 0.05) increased the plant height and root length of cocoa seedlings respectively relative to control and in—organic fertilizer and could therefore be recommended for the prospective and existing Nigerian cocoa farmers for raising their seedlings in the nursery before transplanting to the field.

Highlights

The impact of improving soil fertility is tremendous and leads to marked increase in cocoa production, while ensuring sustainability of cocoa production
A pot experiment was conducted at the greenhouse of Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, in the rain forest zone of South western Nigeria during the 2011/2012 growing season to evaluate the effect of Oil Palm Bunch and Cocoa Pod Husk Ash (CPHA and oil palm bunch ash (OPA)) on the nutrient uptake, growth and dry matter yield of cocoa hybrid (T65/7 X T57/22)
The cocoa seedlings were carefully removed from the container, root washed and parts separated into root, stem and leaf respectively, six months after treatment application

Summary

Introduction

The impact of improving soil fertility is tremendous and leads to marked increase in cocoa production, while ensuring sustainability of cocoa production It improves soil fertility, reduces soil degradation, enhance vigorous growth and better establishment of cocoa trees. The efforts of the government to revive the ailing cocoa sector towards increasing the production through the activities of National Cocoa Development Committee (NCDC) have been faced with challenges Among these challenges are the low cocoa yield, low soil fertility and ageing cocoa farms. There is dearth of information on the use of cocoa pod husk ash and oil palm bunch ash on the growth and dry matter yield of cocoa seedlings; the needs for this present study. The objective of this work was to assess the effect of cocoa pod husk ash and oil palm bunch ash on the growth and dry matter yield of cocoa in the greenhouse

Materials and Methods

Laboratory Routine Soil Analysis

Processing of Organic Material into Ash

Analysis of the Cocoa Pod Husk and Oil Palm Bunch Ash

Results and Discussion

Conclusion