Abstract
ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the spatial-temporal variability of leaf chlorophyll index and its relationship with cocoa yield. The experiment was carried out in an experimental area of cocoa production located in Ilhéus, Bahia State, Brazil. Leaf chlorophyll content was measured in September, October, January, February, March and April in the 2014/2015 season, at each sampling point of a regular grid by using a portable chlorophyll meter. Under the same conditions, yield was evaluated and the data were submitted to descriptive statistics and a linear correlation study. Geostatistical analysis was used to determine and quantify the spatial and temporal variability of leaf chlorophyll index and yield. Leaf chlorophyll index varied over the period evaluated, but the months of February, March and April showed no spatial dependence in the study area, indicating absence of temporal stability. Cocoa monthly yield, except in January, presented high spatial variability. Under the conditions of this study, it was not possible to establish a relationship between leaf chlorophyll index and cocoa yield.
Highlights
As with other agricultural crops, cocoa cultivation has transformed into a specialized branch, which aims at differentiation and maximum added value to the final product
Partial replacement of conventional methods of soil fertility and plant nutritional status evaluation using sensors has been widely studied in precision agriculture (Godoy et al, 2008; Silva et al, 2014)
Some equipment, such as chlorophyll meters, after correlation with traditional methods, have been satisfactorily used in different agricultural crops to recommend foliar supplementation of nutrients (Barbieri Júnior et al, 2012), but this information is still scarce for the cocoa crop
Summary
As with other agricultural crops, cocoa cultivation has transformed into a specialized branch, which aims at differentiation and maximum added value to the final product. Silva et al (2014) comment that the differentiation of agricultural products encompasses the adoption of integrated technologies that aim to obtain as much information as possible about the production systems, allowing the adoption of new management strategies.Using technological models and different sensors for data collection has led to higher efficiency in decision-making, ensuring higher accuracy in the managements and lower uncertainties in agricultural production (Valente et al, 2012). Silva et al (2014) comment that the differentiation of agricultural products encompasses the adoption of integrated technologies that aim to obtain as much information as possible about the production systems, allowing the adoption of new management strategies. Partial replacement of conventional methods of soil fertility and plant nutritional status evaluation using sensors has been widely studied in precision agriculture (Godoy et al, 2008; Silva et al, 2014). Some equipment, such as chlorophyll meters, after correlation with traditional methods, have been satisfactorily used in different agricultural crops to recommend foliar supplementation of nutrients (Barbieri Júnior et al, 2012), but this information is still scarce for the cocoa crop. Joint use of sensors in indirect measurement of plant nutrition and the knowledge and evaluation of spatial and temporal variability of yield and the involved factors constitutes an important tool to define rational management strategies for agricultural areas (Valente et al, 2012). Silva et al (2010a) claim that the knowledge on the variation of attributes from the soilplant system is important for the management of agricultural practices and, in certain situations, can ensure the success of the agricultural enterprise
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