Trinitario cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) trees exhibited better yields with Fertigroe R nanofertilizers
2019
Salazar, B.M. | Besas, U.P. | Cosico, V.L.N. | Valencia, A.M. | Salazar, B.T.
Nanotechnology is one of the emerging smart technology systems with vast applications in agriculture. UP Los Baños [Philippines] recently developed FertiGroe R NPK nanofertilizers, which are single-nutrient fertilizers encapsulated by advanced polymeric materials. Under nutrient-release kinetics studies, FertiGroe R enhanced NPK delivery via slow release. Hence, a study was conducted in Antocan's Farm, Pandapan, Tagum City from January 2018 to April 2019 to evaluate the effects of FertiGroe R on the growth, development, and yield of Trinitario cacao clones. Laid out in randomized complete block design, UF 18 cacao clones of uniform growth and planted in 3 x 3 m under coconut trees, were supplemented with conventional fertilizer (CF) or FertiGroe R nanofertilizers (NF) at different dosages (25, 50, 75, 100, or 125% of the recommended rate, RR, of 170 g N, 20 g P, and 200 g K per plant). The timing of fertilizer application was gauged against Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt and CHemischeIndustrie, Germany (BBCH) scale, which quantifies the developmental changes of cacao from inflorescence stage to harvest-ready stage. Fertilizers were applied at BBCH 71 (pods are 10% of final size) and BBCH 75 (pods are 50% of final size). Agronomic parameters were gathered before and after fertilizer application. Results show that the number of beans per pod ranged from 30 46 across treatments. More beans per pod were observed from CF125 trees while the least came from CF50 trees. Yield ranged from 200 1097 kg/ha, with lowest yields coming from unfertilized trees and the highest from NF50 trees. On the average, cacao trees fertilized with nanofertilizers had 70% higher bean yield (542 kg ha-1 vs. 316 kg/ha) than those supplemented with conventional fertilizers.
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