Test the viability and effectiveness of the AMF biofertilizer prototypes using different spore carrier media on production of organic cocoa

Abstract

Increasing consumer demand for healthy food products has an impact on increasing demand for organic cocoa, but it is difficult for farmers to fulfil it because the production per hectare is still very low. Development of indigenous Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) as biological fertilizers is expected to relieve farmers’ difficulties. This study aimed to find the best AMF biofertilizer prototype that can increase organic cocoa production while increasing soil fertility. The research was conducted through 2 stages. Stage 1 made prototypes of biological fertilizers from 7 indigenous AMF species isolated from cocoa roots using different spore carrier media and then tested the spore viability during storage, and stage 2 selected 2 of the best AMF biofertilizer prototypes to test their effectiveness on organic cocoa plantations. The results showed the AMF biofertilizer prototype with spore’s carrier media volcanic sand and zeolite gave the viability of spores remained high after being stored for 1 month, reaching 91.78% and 90.67%. The effectiveness test on organic cocoa plantations showed that the AMF biofertilizer prototype with different spore-carrying media had no significant effect on the yield and yield components of organic cocoa beans, but AMF biofertilizer prototype with volcanic sand spore-carrying media tended to increase the yield and improves soil fertility. It was concluded that the AMF biofertilizer prototype with volcanic sand spore carrier media was the best prototype, but it is necessary to carry out tests at several locations to determine the consistency of the effect.