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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