PertanikaJ. Trop. Agric. Sci. 25(1): 53 - 62 (2002) ISSN: 1511-3701© Universiti Putra Malaysia Press

Utilization of Agricultural Wastes for the Growth, Leaf and Soil ChemicalComposition of Cocoa Seedlings in the Nursery

E.I. MOYIN JESU & B. ATOYOSOYEAgronomy Department

Federal College of AgricultureAkure, Ondo State

Nigeria

Keywords: Wood ash, cocoa pod husk, rice bran, cocoa seedling, nursery, organic residuetreatment

ABSTRAK

Satu eksperimen mengjkaji keberkesanan abu kayu, serbuk kulit, sekam padi dan aim tandan kelapa sawitdigunakan biasanya buah koko atau dicampur dengan baja najis itik dan ayam ke atas daun, komposisi kimiatanah dan pertumbuhan anak benih koko di tapak penyemaian, yang dikendalikan di Akure (Lat 7°N\ 5°10yE)di zon hutan hujan Nigeria sepanjang tahun 1997 hingga 1999. Sebanyak 12 rawatan sisa organik yangsetiap satunya digunakan dalam 30 g per 10 kg tanah (6+/ha) dalam satu polibeg dibanding dengan NPK15-15-15 (iaitu pembajaan yang dicadangkan) yang menggunakan 2 g per 10 kg tanah (400 kg/ha) dan saturawatan kawalan. Rawatan-rawatan tersebut diulangi sebanyak empat kali dan diatur dalam pola rawak yanglengkap. Sisa-sisa dan tanah tersebut dianalisis secara kimia sebelum biji-biji benih disemai. Dua Hji benih koko(Theobroma cacao (L)) ditanam dalam setiap polibeg dan dijadikan satu pokok selepas 14 hari. Parameterpertumbuhan seperti ketinggian pokok, kawasan daun, parameter pertumbuhan stem seperti ketinggian pokok,kawasan daun, ukuran lilit stem, seperti ketinggian pokok, kawasan daun, ukuran lilit, pengeluaran daun,akar dan berat sukatan tunas diukur. Kandungan nutrien daun dan pfi tanah serta kandungan (organik jugaditentukan). Keputusan-keputusan menunjukkan bahawa rawatan sisa organik secara signifikannya meningkatkan(p<0.05) pertumbuhan pokok, daun, kandungan N, P, K, Ka, Mg dan Na, pH tanah dan ciri-ciri organikmeningkatkan pertumbuhan, daun dan nutrien tanah lebih daripada rawatan baja NPK kecuali untuk tanahN dan P. Tanah yang rendah pH apabila dibajakan dengan NPK melambatkan percambahan biji benih kokodan pertumbuhan berikutnya. Di antara rawatan-rawatan sisa tanaman, abu kayu dan abu tandan kelapasawit meningkatkan kebanyakan kandungan tanah dan nutrien daun serta parameter^parameter pertumbuhananak benih koko sementara tanah dirawat dengan kombinasi abu tandan kelapa sawit dan baja najis ayambelanda menunjukkan pertumbuhan kandungan daun dan tanah N, P, K, Ca dan Na pH tanah dankandungan ciri-ciri organik.

ABSTRACT

An experiment investigating the effectiveness of wood ash, cocoa pod husk, rice bran and oil palm bunch ash usedordinarily or in combination with duck and turkey manures on the leaf, soil chemical composition and growthof cocoa seedlings in the nursery, was conducted in Akure (Lat 7ON*, 5°WE) in the rainforest zone of Nigeriaduring the period of 1997 to 1999. Twelve organic residue treatments, each applied at 30 g per 10 kg soil (6t/ha) in a polybag were compared to the NPK 15-15-15 (i.e recommended fertilization) applied 2 g per 10 kg soil(400 kg/ha) and a control treatment. The treatments were replicated four times and arranged in a completelyrandomized design. The residues and soils were chemically analyzed before seeds were sowed. Two cocoa seeds(Theobroma cacao (L.)) were planted into each polybag and thinned to one plant after 14 days. The growthparameters such as plant height, leaf area, stem grotvth parameters such as plant height, leaf area, stem girth,leaf production, root and shoot dry weight were measured. The leaf nutrient contents and soil pH and organicC content were also determined. The results showed that the organic residue treatments significantly increased(p<0.05) the plant growth, leafN, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na contents soil pH and organic matter (O.M) comparedto the control treatment All the organic residue treatments increased the growth, leaf and soil nutrients more thanNPK fertilizer treatment except for soils N and P. The low pH of the soils when fertilized with NPK delayed

E.L MOYIN JESU & B. ATOYOSOYE

germination of cocoa seeds and the subsequent growth. Among plant residue treatments, the wood ash and oilpalm bunch ash increased most the soil and leaf nutrient contents and growth parameters of cocoa seedlings whilethe soil treated with the combination of oil palm bunch ash + turkey manure indicated the best of growth, leafand soil N, P, K, Ca, and Na contents, soil pH and organic matter content.

INTRODUCTION

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) originated from theupper amazon region of Latin America and itwas introduced into Nigeria from Fernandopoin 1974 (Opeke 1982). Cocoa belongs to thegenus Theobroma in the family stericulaceae andover 200 species of cocoa are recognisedworldwide but all the cultured species belong tothe single species Theobroma cacao.

Opeke (1982) reported that in Nigeria,cocoa serves as a valuable source of cocoa butterand beverages while the residual cocoa powderis used in cake biscuits, cocoa food, cocoa mixesand other confectioneries. The cocoa pod huskis a good source of organic fertilizer as it improvessoil fertility (Adv Dappah et al 1994). Potassiumhydroxide when extracted from the husk can beused in soap making. Cocoa is also one of themain sources of foreign exchange earning forNigeria, Ghana and Cote d'lvore (Are 1967).

In spite of the utilization and importance ofthe crop, the cocoa production in Nigeria isfacing serious problems at present, because thetrees are ageing and there is a scarcity of newcocoa seedlings to replace about 571, 864hectares of ageing cocoa trees in the field. Thisreplacement is becoming difficult because thereis scarcity of top rich soil to grow young cocoaseedlings in the nursery as a result of urbanisationand deforestation practices coupled with thecontinued decline in fertility of the field soils.Efforts to supplement the soil fertility throughthe use of inorganic fertilizers to grow cocoaseedlings are limited by the high cost of purchase,scarcity at the farmers' level and continueddeterioration of soil properties (Folorunso et al.1995).

Umoti et al. (1990) reported that both cocoaand oil palm were heavy drains of plant nutrientsin the nursery and field. High productivity ofthese could be achieved and sustained by massiveapplication of inorganic fertilizers. However,inorganic fertilizers have become very expensive(N 1,500.00 per bag) especially for the low incomefarmers who constituted the major producers ofboth palm oil and cocoa in Nigeria. This assertionwas further supported by Obatolu (1999) who

reported that 305 kg Urea/ha/yr, 250 kg SSP/ha/year and 80 kg Kd/ha/yr would be requiredannually for cocoa production either in thenursery or field. Hence, in monetary terms, thecost of the inorganic fertilizers would be colossal.Therefore, the complementary use of organicfertilizer materials derived from the oil palmcocoa production, food crops such as rice, maize,cassava and trees could help to bring down thehigh cost.

The potentials of oil palm bunch ash, cocoapod ash, rice bran, wood ash, sawdust duck andturkey manure as sources of fertilizers have beenestablished (Omoti 1989; Ahenkorah et al. 1981;Obatolu 1983; Oladokun 1986; Folorunso 1999)in growing maize, cassava, oil palm, coffee andokra crops. The abundance of the cocoa podhusk, oil palm bunch ash, rice bran and woodash have been established in Nigeria. Forinstance, Gill and Duffus (1986) reported thatabout 220,000 metric tones of dry cocoa podhusk were produced in Nigeria and about 60%of it was produced in Akure are of Ondo State,Nigeria. Folorunso (1999) also established theabundance of oil palm ash, rice bran and sawdustin the Akure area of Ondo State, Nigeria becauseof the rainforest ecology.

There is a scarcity of research informationon the use of oil palm bunch ash, cocoa podhusk, rice bran and wood ash, used in ordinaryform or in combination with duck manure andturkey manure to grow cocoa seedlings in thenursery and field. Therefore, there is justificationto investigate these organic wastes to grow cocoaseedlings in the nursery to replace the old andnon productive stock on the field for optimumproduction as a means of increasing the incomebase of the farmers and that of producing statesby going into large scale production. Theobjectives of the study were therefore, toinvestigate the growth performances of cocoaseedlings as influenced by the organic residuesapplied alone or with duck and turkey manurein the nursery, and to determine the leaf nutrientcontents and soil chemical properties of thecocoa seedlings as influenced by the organicresidues.

54 PERTANIKAJ. TROP. AGRIC. SCI, VOL. 25 NO. 1, 2002

UTILIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL WASTES FOR COCOA SEEDLINGS IN THE NURSERY

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment took place at Akure (lat 7°N\5°10'E) in the rainforest zone of Nigeria duringthe period of 1997 to 1999.

The annual rainfall is 1300 mm and atemperature of 70°C. The soil is a sandy loam,skeletal, kaolin tic, isohyperthermic toxicpaleustalf (Alfisol) or Ferric Luvisol (F.A.O).

Source and Preparation of Agricultural CropResidues

Cocoa pod husk, woodash, oil palm bunch ashobtained from the cocoa farm plots, cassavaprocessing unit and oil-palm processing unit ofFederal College of Akure. The turkey and duckmanure were got from livestock units and nearbyfarms in large quantities. Rice bran was collectedfrom the 05-6 variety processed at College ricemill. The organic residues were processed toallow decomposition. The dried cocoa pod huskswere ground using hammer mill while the ricebran was chopped into pieces, wetted and allowto decompose. The turkey and duck manurewere stacked to allow for mineralization andplaced under shade.

The College has 300 hectares each of cocoa,oil palm plantations from which high quantitiesof cocoa pod husks and empty oil palm buncheswere available. It also had 200 hectares of ricefields from which sizeable quantities of rice brancould be obtained. The livestock unit had 6,000turkey birds and the nearby farm had 4,000ducks from which reasonable quantities of turkeyand duck manure were collected for growingcocoa seedlings. The processing of tubers from200 hectares of cassava generated high quantitiesof wood ash derived from fuel wood and plankspurchased from the nearby sawmill. Generally,all the organic residues used were easily available,sustainable and cheap for growing cocoa, oilpalm, kola seedlings in commercial quantities.

Analysis of the Organic Material Used for theExperiment

Two grammes of each organic material wereweighed into a clean dry tecator digestion tubeand 25ml of HNO3 was added down the neck ofthe flask and swirled to ensure that the organicmaterial was thoroughly wetted. Five millimetersof H2SO4 and HCLO4 were added and themixtures were swirled again. It was then placedon the digestion block and heated carefully.Digest-ion continued until the samples were clear

and the acids were completely volatilized. Thesamples were allowed to cool and 10 ml ofdistilled water was added. Filtration into a 100ml volumetric flask was done and the filtrate wasleft to cool before it was made to the mark withdistilled water.

The filtrates collected from 25-5-5 ml HNO3-H2SO4 digestion method were used for thedetermination of % P, K, Ca, Na and Mg bytaking an aliquot of the plant digests into a 50ml volumetric flask. For % P, 20 ml of phosphovanado molybate solution was added and allowedto stand for at least 2 hours. The colorabsorbance was measured on spectronic 20 at442 urn. The % K, Ca and Na contents, and analiquot were measured into a 100 ml flask anddiluted. 1 ml of the sample solution was taken,the flame photometer was adjusted, followed bythe aspiration of the diluted sample solution.The solution was read in ppm (mg/kg) andlater converted to % contents. Mg content wasdetermined using atomic absorption spectropho-tometer.

The % nitrogen was determined by weighing2 g of each organic material into a digestionflask and 5 ml of HNO3 with selenium andcopper-sulphate tablets were added. Afteraddition of sodium hyrcxide, the distillate wascollected, boric acid was added with an indicatorbefore it was fitrated with 0.1M dil HCL.

Soil Analysis Before Planting30 core soil samples were collected from 0.15cm depth on the site, mixed thoroughly and thebulked sample was taken to the laboratory, air-dried and sieved with 2 mm sieve and readyroutine analysis.

The soil pH(l:l soil/water and 1:2 soil/0.01M CaCl2) were determined using a glass/calomel system (Crockford and Nowell 1956).Organic carbon determination was done usingthe wet dichromate method (Walkley and Black1934). The organic C was multiplied by 1.723 toget organic matter (O.M). The exchangeablecations were extracted using 1M NH4OAC pH 7solution and the amount of K, Ca and Nacontents were determined on flame photometerusing appropriate element filters while Mgcontent in the extract was read on atomicabsorption spectrophotometer (Jackson 1958).The exchangeable acidity (H+ and A13+) wasmeasured from 0.01MHCI (Mclean 1965). Totalnitrogen was determined by mocrok-jedahl

PERTANIKAJ. TROP. AGRIC. SCI. VOL. 25 NO. 1, 2002 55

E.I. MOYIN JESU & B. ATOYOSOYE

method (Jackson 1964) and the soil availablephosphorus was extracted by Bray PI extractantwith Murphy Riley blue coloration (Murphy andRiley 1962) and the concentration measured onspectronic 20 at 882 um.

Nursery Experiment

The site was cleared and overhead shade wasbuilt for the nursery to prevent sun scorching.10 kg of the sieved top soil were placed intoeach polybag measuring 30 x 11 cm. Twelveorganic residue treatments viz: cocoahusk, ricebran, wood ash, oil palm bunch ash, cocoa podhusk + duck manure, wood ash + duck manure,011 palm bunch ash + duck manure, cocoa podhusk + turkey manure, rice bran + turkey manure,wood ash + turkey manure and oil palm bunchash + turkey manure, a nursery recommendedchemical fertilizer NPK 15-15-15 applied at 2 gper bag (400 kg/ha) and a control (no fertilizerno manure) were prepared.

The residues were applied at a ratio of 30 g(6t/ha) per bag for the ordinary forms of ricebran, wood ash, oil palm bunch ash and cocoapod husk while their combination with turkeyand duck manure were applied at a ratio of%0:50% by weight (15 g each).

The treatments were incorporated into thesoil using handtrowel and were allowed todecompose for two weeks before cocoa seedswere sowed. Each treatment had six polybagseach in a set totalling (14 x 6) 84 polybagsincluding the NPK 15-15-15 treatment andcontrol (no fertilization). They were arrangedin completely randomized design and replicatedfour times (84 x 4). The total number of polybagsfor the treatments and their replication fourtimes totalled 336 polybags.

The seeds germinated 14 days after sowingand the growth parameters such as plant height(cm), leaf area (cm2), stem girth (cm) andnumber of leaves were recorded weeklycommencing at the 3rd week to the 14th weekafter sowing using ruler, vennier calibre andvisula counts respectively. At harvest, 20 weeksafter sowing, the cocoa seedlings were uprootedcarefully for the determination of tap root lengthand shoot weight.

Weeds in the polybags were regularlycontrolled. Termite control using Basudin attwo weeks interval was carried out and the cocoaseedlings were watered daily.

Chemical Analysis of the Cocoa Seedling LeavesLeaf samples were taken from the middle andupper parts of the cocoa seedlings at the 15th

week after sowing with secatour for each organictreatment, parked into labelled envelopes, oven-dried at 70°C. The dried leaves were weighedinto small crucibles and dry-ashed for 6 hours ina muffle furnace at 450°C.

The nutrients in the ashed leaves wereextracted with water. % N was determined bymicro-kjedahl method (Jackson 1964). The %Pwas determined by using vanado-molybade yellowcoloration and the content was read onspectronic 20 at 442 um. The % K and Ca wereread on the flame photometer using appropriateelement filters while the % Mg was determinedon atomic absorption spectrophotometry(Jackson 1958).

Soil Analysis After Planting

Soil samples were taken from each polybagtreated with different organic residue treatmentsusing handtrowel at 20 weeks after sowing. Thesoils were air dried, sieved with 2 mm sieve forroutine analysis of total N, available P,exchangeable K, Ca, Mg and Na contents, soilpH and organic matter as described earlier undersoil analysis before planting.

Statistical Analysis

The data collected from the treatment effects ofthe organic residues on the growth parameterssuch as height, leaf area, stem girth, leafpopulation, root length and shoot weight, leafand soil N, P, K, Ca, Mg soil pH and organicmatter were analysed using ANOVA F-test andtheir means were separated and compared alongthe treatment effects using Duncan MultipleRange at 5% level.

RESULTS

Soil Analysis Before PlantingThe physical and chemical properties of thesoils used for growing the cocoa seedlings arepresented in Table 1. Using the established soillevels in South-West Nigeria for cocoa seedlings,the soils are low in organic matter if comparedwith the critical level of 3% O.M (Agboola andCorey 1973). The total nitrogen is less 0.13%considered as optimum for cocoa production(Obatolu 1989).

56 PERTANIKAJ. TROP. AGRIC. SCI. VOL. 25 NO. 1, 2002

UTIUZATION OF AGRICULTURAL WASTES FOR COCOA SEEDLINGS IN THE NURSERY

TABLE 1Chemical analysis of the soil before the

experiment parameters

Parameters

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.

10.

Soil pH (1:1 soil/water)Soil pH (2:1 Cacl2)Organic C(%)Nitrogen (%)Phosporus (mg/kg)Potassium (cmole/kg)Calcium (cmole/kg)Magnesium (cmole/kg)N+ (cmole/kg)C.E.C (cmole/kg)

5.505.350.240.054.430.090.120.150.080.44

The low values of soil K, Ca, Mg, Na, P,Total N, and O.M were indications of soils withpoor fertility status and cocoa seedling growthon the soil would respond favourably to theapplication of the organic residues. The soilswere sandy loam in texture, skeletal, kaolinitic,isohyportheme oxic paluestalf (Alfisol) or FerricLuvisol (FAO) or Akure series.

Chemical Composition of the Agricultural Crop Residues

Table 2 shows the chemical properties of theagricultural crop residues used in the experiment.The duck manure had lower content of N, P, K,Ca and Mg compared to turkey manure. The oilpalm bunch had lower content of N and P thanthat of wood ash. However, the K, Ca and Mgcontents were higher in oil palm bunch ashthan in the wood ash.

TABLE 2Nutrients contents (%) of the agricultural wastes

used for the experiment

Agriculturalwastes

1. Cocoa podhusk

2. Rice bran3. Wood ash4. Oil palm

bunch ash5. Duck

manure6. Turkey

manure

N

1.830.0761.540.15

1.52

2.10

P

2.370.0020.800.32

2.59

5.10

Ca

1.190.0360.120.19

0.77

0.21

Mg

0.580.0120.930.75

0.29

0.60

K

0.410.0410.250.45

0.75

0.53

The cocoa pod husk had the highestavailable contents of P, K, Ca and Mg while thenutrient composition (P, K, Ca and Mg) ofwood ash was slightly lower than similar nutrientcontent in oil palm bunch ash.

Effect of Agricultural Crop Wastes on Wastes onGrowth of Cocoa Seedlings

Table 3 shows the data on plant height, leafarea, stem girth, leaf number, tap root lengthand shoot weight of cocoa seedlings in differentagricultural crop wastes treatments.

The oil palm bunch ash + turkey manuretreatment increased the plant height significantly(p<0.05) when compared to the oil palm bunchalone and control treatments. The wood ash, oilpalm bunch ash, cocoa pod husk, rice branapplied alone or combined with the turkey andduck manure treatments increased the plantheight of cocoa seedlings when compared toNPK treatment. The cocoa seedlings in NPKtreatments did not germinate early.

Amongst the sole forms of agricultural wastetreatments, the wood ash treatment had thehighest plant height increment compared tococoa pod husk, rice bran and oil palm bunchash.

The agricultural wastes amended with turkeyand duck manures increased the leaf area ofcocoa seedlings compared to the wastes appliedalone. The wood ash treatment increased theleaf area most compared to rice bran and cocoapod husk treatments.

The oil palm bunch ash + turkey manuretreatments increased the stem girth, leaf number,tap root length and shoot weight significantly(p<0.05) compared to wood ash + duck manure,rice bran + turkey manure and oil palm bunchash + duck manure treatments.

The unamended wood ash and oil palmbunch ash treatments increased the stem girth,leaf number, tap root length and shoot wieghtwhen compared to the unamended rice branand cocoa pod husk.

Leaf Chemical Composition

Table 4 presents the leaf chemical compositionof cocoa seedlings under the different agro-wastes used. The amendment of oil palm bunchash with turkey manure treatment significantly(p<0.05) increased N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Nacontents in cocoa leaf compared to othertreatments. The cocoa leaf nutrient contents in

PERTANIKAJ. TROP. AGRIC. SCI. VOL. 25 NO. 1, 2002 57

TABLE 3The mean plant height, leaf area, stem girth and leaf number, of cocoa seedlings under different agricultural crop wastes used

32

i2•

<r

O

INO

Treatments(cm)

1. Control2. NPK 15-15-153. Cocoa pod husk4. Cocoa pod husk + duck manure5. Cocoa pod husk + turkey manure6. Rice bran7. Rice bran + turkey manure8 Rice bran + duck manure9. Wood ash

10. Wood ash + duck manure11. Wood ash + turkey manure12. Oil palm bunch ash13. Oil palm bunch ash + duck manure14. Oil palm bunch ash + turkey manure

Plant height(cm2)

4.20a8.30b12.80e16.50h16.75hi9.45c15.53g12.10d13.10e

16.08gh18.80112.30d16.66h19.40j

Leaf area(cm)

12.30a21.42b35.40e54.16g63.10123.53c

54.53gh31.60e38.36f63.40i68.30J31.08d71.10k77.101

Stem girth

0.53a0.98b1.26de1.6011.68ij1.10c1.54h1.12c1.32f1.70j

1077k1.20d1.861

2.211m

Leaf NumberWeight (g)At harvest

3.06a5.50ef5.20e5.72fg7.01h4.20b6.30h4.80c5.60d6.99h *8.0j

5.00cd7.50j9.001

Fresh Shootlength (cm)

at harvest

20.00a60.00blOO.OOd138.00g163.00i85.00c123.00f86.00c113.00e153.00b220.00jk102.0d

225.00jq250.0m

Tap root

3.00a10.00b12.20d15.10f20.1 Oh11.20cH.OOe11.30c13.80e17.00g25.00112.10125.00j27.00k

IG

Treatment means within each group followed by the same letters are not significantly different from each other using Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5%level.

UTIUZATION OF AGRICULTURAL WASTES FOR COCOA SEEDLINGS IN THE NURSERY

the unamended and amended organic treatmentswere higher than that of chemical fertilizer andthe control treatments.

Soil Chemical Analysis at the End of Experiment

Table 5 shows the soil pH, O.M, N, P, K, Ca andMg contents of soil at the end of the experiment.

The oil palm bunch ash + turkey treatmentsincreased the soil pH, O.M, N, P, K, Ca and Mgcontents compared to the unamended wastesand the control treatments. The sole forms ofthe agricultural waste treatments increased thesoil pH, O.M, N, P, K, Ca and Mg contentscompared to the control treatments.

TABLE 4The % leaf chemical composition of cocoa seedlings under different agricultural treatments

Treatments N K Ca Mg

1. Control (no fertilizer)2. NPK 15-15-153. Rice bran4. Cocoa pod husk5. Wood ash6. Rice bran + duck manure7. Wood ash + duck manure8. Cocoa pod husk + duck manure9. Rice bran + turkey manure

10. Cocoa pod hukd + turkey manure11. Wood ash + turkey manure12. Oil palm bunch ash manure13. Oil palm bunch ash + duck manure14. Oil palm bunch ash + turkey manure

0.04a2.40i0.32b0.45c0.73d0.92ef1.42i1.72kllOlOg1.26h1.58J

0.85de1.62jk2.20m

0.16a2.75m0.24ab0.35c0.66d0.73de1.63]2.30k

1017gh1.4511.44i0.88f1.06g2.501

0.08a0.56b0.58b0.93c1.26d1.44e2.30k3.2011065g

1077gh1.93ij1.48ef1.861

3.70m

0.02a0.03a0.24b0.45c0.63d0.67de1.14gh2.1610.93f

1020hi1.53jk0.99fg1.40]

2.55m

0.02a0.04ab0.14bc0.260.44e0.53f

0.73hi1.101

0.66gh0.82J0.84J0.58g0.92jk1.33m

Treatment means within each column followed by the same letters are not significantly different from each otherusing Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% level.

TABLE 5The soil chemical composition of cocoa seedlings after transplanting under different

agricultural crop waste treatments

Treatments

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.

8.9.

10.11.

12.

13.14.

ControlNPK 15-15-15Rice branCocoa pod huskWood ashRice bran + duck manureCocoa pod husk + duckmanureWood ash + duck manureOil Palm Bunch Ash+ duck manureRice bran + turkey manureCocoa pod husk +turkey manureOil Palm bunch ash+ turkey manureWood ash + turkey manureOil palm bunch ash

%N

0.03a0.31h0.12b0.18c0.25e0.19c0.28fg

0.30h0.27ef

0.21cd0.26e

0.34i

0.20cd0.23e

mg/kgP

3.20a36.20m11.30b14.10c17.20d19.10e22.30f

24.50g26.40gh

27.20hi21.80ij

34.101

29.70k22.00f

K

0.06a0.63d0.23b0.44c0.96e0.95el.lOg

1.30ij1.26hi

0.99ef1.40k

1.72m

1.5311.20h

cmol/kgCa

0.03a0.08b0.26c0.34d0.84e0.86e0.92fg

0.96gh1.321

0.88ef1.20ij

1.40m

1.22jk1.611

Mg

0.02a0.04ab0.18c

0.22cd0.45e0.47ef0.50fg

0.52gh0.66k

0.56i0.51fg

0.87m

0.7110.62j

PH

5.20a5.10a6.40b6.70d6.90f6.60c6.80e

6.90f6.50e

6.90f7.00g

7.30h

6.90f6.80e

O.M

0.24a0.26a0.92b0.98bc1.56d1.80e1.92f

1.99%2.46jk

2.10h2.301

2.58m

2.5112.40J

PERTANIKAJ. TROP. AGRIC. SCI. VOL. 25 NO. 1, 2002 59

E.I. MOYIN JESU & B. ATOYOSOYE

However, N, P and K contents in chemicalfertilizer treated soil increased over theunamended and amended residues but werelower in the soil pH, O.M, Ca and Mg.

DISCUSSION

The soils normally used for growing cocoaseedlings were generally low in pH, O.M, N, P,K, Ca and Mg and these could be responsiblefor the poor growth of cocoa seedlings asreflected by the control t reatment . Theobservation supported that of Agboola (1982c)who had reported poor growth responses ofcocoa seedlings in soils not fertilized. It wasexpected that the application of rice bran, woodash, oil palm bunch ash and cocoa pod huskalone or in combination with turkey and duckmanures to the soil would increase the growthresponses of cocoa seedlings.

The increase in the plant height, leaf area,stem girth, tap root length and shoot weight ofcocoa seedlings grown with the sole and amendedagricultural wastes could be due to their richchemical composition. The observation agreedwith Omoti et al. (1990) and Obatolu (1999)who reported that oil palm bunch ash, Chromelinaadoration and cowdung applied at 15t /haincreased the plant height, leaf area and shootgrowth of cocoa seedlings.

The nutrient contents on the leaf of cocoaseedlings under the control treatment were belowthe critical levels of 0.25% P, 1.19% K, 0.8% Caand 0.7% Mg as reported by Jones and Eck(1973). Thus, the leaves of cocoa seedling wereshowing deficiency symptoms of P (purplecolouration), K (burnt leaf margin), Ca (stuntedroot growth) and N (yellow colouration).

The application of sole and amended formsof cocoa pod husk, rice bran, oil palm bunchash and wood ash increased the leaf N, P, K, Caand Mg contents of cocoa seedlings over thecontrol treatment and this could be attributedto their chemical composition (Table 2). Thisfinding agreed with that of Adv-Dapph et al.(1994) and Folorunso (1999) who reported thatcocoa pod husk, poultry manure and oil palmbunch ash were good sources of N, P, K, Ca, Mgto the soils for uptake of coffee and Okra crops.

However, the increase in leaf and soilchemical composition and growth performancesof cocoa seedlings in the organic residuesamended with turkey and duck manures

compared to their sole forms could be attributedpossibly to enhancement of their degradationrate by the manure and lower C/N ratio. Sinceturkey and duck manures are richer in N, P, K,Ca and Mg nutrient content than the plantresidues, they are expected to improve soilnutrient availability and echanced soil fertility.

This observation agreed with that of Obatolu(1999) who reported the nutrients* superiorityof Chromelina adoration amended with cowdungapplied at 15t/ha for growing cocoa seedlings inthe nursery compared to either Chromelinaadoration of cowdung applied alone.

The N, P, K, Ca and Mg nutrients in thisorganic residue treatment were very importantfor the growth of cocoa seedlings. For instance,nitrogen is known to be mainly responsible forplant shoot and root growth (Ojeniyi 1984).Shortage of P is associated with reduction inplant gowth and K is essential for carbohydrateformation, synthesis of protein and promotionof meristematic tissue (Tisdale and Nelson 1966).The Ca and Mg nutrients encouraged rootgrowth and chloropyhll formation in cocoaseedlings (Ahenkorah et al. 1981 and Oladokun1986).

The better effect of oil palm bunch ash,cocoa pod husk and wood ash on the growth,leaf and soil chemical composition of cocoaseedlings compared to rice bran is consistentwith the fact that their soils had higher values ofsoil pH, O.M, K, Ca and Mg nutrients than thatof the latter. The observation agreed withFolorunso (1999) who reported that the ricebran had relatively low C, N, Ca, Mg and Zncontents and a high C/N ratio of 1:23 whichwould make it more resistant to degradationand their nutrients made more slowly availablecompared to wood ash, cocoa husk and oil palmseedlings.

The fact that wood ash, oil palm bunch ashand cocoa husk increased the soil pH is consistentwith previous findings that ash contains mainlyK, Ca and Mg (Ojeniyi 1995) and that cocoahusk is a major source of K (Adv-Dappah et al.1994). The increased soil pH by these residueshas confirmed that they were soil ameliorant andFroth (1984) has emphasised the importance ofwood ash, oil palm bunch ash and cocoa podhusk with regards to increased availability of cationssuch as K, Ca and Mg in the soil. The inferiorperformance of rice bran in improving the soil

60 PERTANIKAJ. TROP. AGRIC. SCI. VOL. 25 NO. 1, 2002

UTIUZATION OF AGRICULTURAL WASTES FOR COCOA SEEDLINGS IN THE NURSERY

pH could be due to its high C:N ratio andconsequent immobilization of soil nutrients,especially the cations (Folorunso 1999).

The NPK fertilizer also reduced the soil pHof cocoa seedlings and this might be as a resultof NH4J sorption on the soil surface. Thecontinuous use of 400 k g / h a NPK 15-15-15(2 g /10 kg soil) was the blanket fertilizerrecommendat ion used for cocoa seedlingsboth in the nursery and field in Nigeria. Theabove statement was corrobarated by Barber(1962) who reported that large applications ofNPK fertilizer continuously might influence thecation concentration in the soil solution and onthe exchange phase.

The low soil pH and reduction in organicmatter on soils fertlized with the chemicalfertlizer adversely affected the Ca and Mgcontents of the soils. The observation could beadduced to the high soil P and K which couldnegatively influence the Ca and Mg availabilitybecause of high K/Ca, P/Mg and K/Mg ratio.The implication is that high soil K will result innutrient imbalance and hidden toxicity for crops(Bear 1950) and could be responsible for thedelay in germination and the subsequent poorgrowth of cocoa seedlings in the experiment.

Therefore, the use of the sole and amendedforms of wood ash, oil palm bunch ash, cocoapod husk and rice bran in the improvement ofsoil fertility for cocoa seedlings is consistent withthe view of Swift and Anderson (1992) whoreported that one important mechanism toimprove nutrient recycling is through the use ofapplied organic inputs and retention of cropresidues. Yet in many tropical cropping systems,little or no agricultural residues are returned tothe soils leading to decline in soil O.M.

CONCLUSION

Agricultural wastes such as rice bran, cocoa podhusk, oil palm bunch ash and wood ash areeffective sources of nutrients because theiraddition to the soil have enhanced the leaf andsoil N, P, K, Ca, Mg, soil pH and O.M, plantheight, leaf area, stem girth, root growth andshoot weight of cocoa seedlings.

Rice bran was the least effective while theamended residues with turkey and duck manuresimproved their effects on these above-mentionedparameters for cocoa seedlings.

It is therefore recommended thatagricultural residues such as wood ash, spentgrain, cocoa husk pod and oil palm bunch ashand their amendment with turkey and duckmanures at 30 g per 10 kg soil (6t/ha) are veryuseful as fertilizer materials for improving thenutrient availability and ensuring sustainablecultivation of cocoa seedlings on lowly fertilesoil in humid tropics.

This recommendation corroborates with thefact that inorganic fertilizers are scarce andexpensive for the resource poor farmers who arethe growers of cocoa seedlings in most developing

countries.

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(Received: 4 September 2000)(Accepted: 9 October 2001)

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