Phospholipid P content of some cocoa soils of Ghana

Halm, B.J., Cocoa Research Institute, P. O. Box 8 New Tafo.; Ahenkorah, Y., Cocoa Research Institute, P. O. Box 8 New Tafo.

Phospholipid P content of some cocoa soils of Ghana

1976

Halm, B.J., Cocoa Research Institute, P. O. Box 8 New Tafo. | Ahenkorah, Y., Cocoa Research Institute, P. O. Box 8 New Tafo.

The hexane-acetone method was used to measure the phospholipid P content of some cocoa soils. The values which ranged from 1_75 IJ-g P g-l soil to 12_93 IJ-g P g-l are more in line with European levels than North American levels. Soil-extract dilution plates revealed 16 x 10y - 81 X 10y bacteria per gram in the 0-15 cm layer. Even though plant residues contributed significantly to the phospholipid P content of soil, microorganisms are considered to be the major source. The increase in soil inorganic P at a time when cocoa required most of its P, the decrease in both the phospholipid P and organic P and the time of application of fertilizer P were suggested as possible reasons why available P estimated by the conventional methods are not related to P response by cocoa.

Afficher plus [+]