Full Length Research Paper
Potentials of cocoa pod husk ash
as fertilizer and liming
materials on nutrient uptake and
growth performance of cocoa
*Adejobi, K. B., Famaye, A.
O., Akanbi, O.S.O., Adeosun,
S. A. Nduka, A. B. and
Adeniyi, D. O.
Abstract
An investigation was carried
out to evaluate the
potentials of cocoa pod husk
ash (CPHA) as fertilizer and
liming materials on nutrient
uptake and growth
performance of cocoa (Theobroma
cacao) seedlings in the
nursery. Eight treatments:
5t/ha CPHA (6.25g), 10 t/ha
CPHA (12.5g), 15t/ ha CPHA
(18.75g), 20t/ha CPHA (25g),
25t/ha CPHA (31.25g), 30t/ha
CPHA (37.5g), 400 kg/ha urea
(0.6g) per 2.5g of soil
filled polythene bags
replicated three times, and
a control (no fertilizer, no
manure) were arranged in
completely randomized design
(CRD). The results showed
that the cocoa pod husk ash
increased significantly
(P<0.05) the plant height,
stem diameter, number of
leaves, leaf area, number of
branches, root and shoot
lengths, root and shoot
fresh weights, root and
shoot dry weights, N, P, K,
Ca, Mg of soil and leaf,
soil pH and organic matter
contents of cocoa seedlings
relative to the control
treatment. 25 t/ha CPHA
increased the soil pH, soil
organic carbon, organic
matter, P, K, Mg, Na, and Ca
by 40%, 41%, 48%, 56% 58%,
42%, 14% and 39%
respectively with exception
of soil N compared to urea
fertilizer treatment. 25
t/ha CPHA increased
significantly (P<0.05) soil,
leaf nutrient uptake and
morphological growth of
cocoa seedlings compared to
other levels of CPHA
treatments. 25t/ha CPHA also
increased soil pH, organic
matter, N, P, K, Na, Mg, Ca
by 46%, 83%, 29%, 70%, 59%,
3%, 29%, 43% respectively
compared to the control.
Again 25t/ha CPHA treatment
increased the plant height,
stem diameter, leaf area,
number of leaves, number of
branches, root and shoot
lengths, fresh and dry root
weights, fresh and dry shoot
weights of cocoa seedlings
by 30%, 54%, 71%, 63%, 98%,
84%, 25%, 56%, 57%, 83% and
80% respectively compared to
the control. When compared
with urea fertilizer
treatment, 25t/ha CPHA
increased the plant height,
stem diameter, leaf area,
number of leaves, number of
branches, root and shoot
lengths, fresh and dry root
weights, fresh and dry shoot
weights of cocoa seedlings
by 4%, 37%, 60%, 43%, 72%,
47%, 55%, 16%, 14%, 39% and
32% respectively. Generally
cocoa pod ash applied at 25
tons/ha was the most
effective treatment
improving cocoa growth and
yield parameters, soil
chemical composition.
Key words: Cocoa
pod husk ash, cocoa growth,
fertilizer, liming, organic
matter.
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