Efecto del compost de Eichhornia crassipes en la calidad de plantas en vivero de Theobroma cacao

Abstract

The study consisted of determining the effect of E. crassipescompost on the quality of T. cacaonursery plants, knowing the appropriate compost percentages for its addition as sustrateand determining levels of lead (Pb), arsenic(As) and mercury (Hg) in E. crassipesplants, compost and T. cacaoplants. A completely randomized design was used, with 5 treatments, 5 repetitions with 48 plants each, in an experimentation period of 4.5 months.Compost of E. crassipeswas used in percentages of 10%, 20% and 40% mixed with soil in 90%, 80% and 60%. The treatments were identified as: T1(T10: 90), T2(T20: 80), T3(T40: 60), a relative treatment T4(TR, 100% soil and chemical fertilization) and a control treatment T5(TT, 100 % land). Theresults of the ANOVA show that there is a statistically significant difference of the treatments in the quality of T. cacaoplants for the diameter, Dickson's Quality Index (ICD) and total dry weight. The T1, T2, T3and T4were statistically superior to the control treatment T5 (TT). Plant height, slenderness index, and aerial dry weight-root dry weight ratio did not present statistically significant differences. The translocation of Pb to T. cacaoplants was non-existent. The plants of T3(T40: 60), showed chlorotic yellowing and symptoms of diseases in the 45 to 90 days of germination. It is recommended to use percentages of compost of E. crassipesnot greater than 20%, for T. cacaoplants in the nursery.