Effects of soil clay content and particle size of Morocco phosphate rock on the growth of bulk cocoa seedlings
Among others, two factors assumed to contribute in large variation of study about direct use of phosphate rock (PR) are soil texture and the mesh size of PR applied. However, the combined effects of those two factors have received very little attention, especially regarding to acid susceptible plant such as cocoa under tropical condition. A greenhouse experiment was carried out in May to September 1992 to determine the optimal size of phosphate rock particles used for manuring bulk cocoa seedlings on Ultisols with different clay contents. Using a complete randomized design with factorial arrangement and three replicates, pot experiments consisted of soils with four different clay contents, i.e. 7, 22, 38, and 57 percent and six particle size classes of Morocco PR, i.e. 18-35, 35-50, 50-80, 80-100, 100-150, and 150-200 mesh, with TSP as a control. After four-month period, the GC 7 x Sca 12 bulk cocoa seedlings were analyzed for total dry weight, nutrient absorption, and selected soil chemical properties. The results indicate that the size of PR determined the growth of the seedlings. Based on total dry weight of the seedlings, the 100-150 mesh PR is more effective than the other sizes. Most of the particle size of PR reached optimal total dry weight of cocoa seedlings in soil with clay contents ranging from 22 percent to 38 percent.
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| Format: | biblioteca |
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| Subjects: | THEOBROMA CACAO, PLANTULAS, SUELO ARCILLOSO, FOSFATO MINERAL, ETAPAS DE DESARROLLO DE LA PLANTA, ACRISOLES, |
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