Effect of non-conventional organic fertilizer (horn and hoof meal) on the development of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.)
2025
Rodrigo S. Zumaeta-Barbarán | Cesar O. Arévalo-Hernández
Cacao is a vital cash crop in cacao-producing countries, often grown with inadequate management. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of horn and hoof meal (HHM) on the development of seven-year-old cacao hybrids. Conducted at the Tropical Crops Institute in San Martin, Peru, (2018-2020), the experiment design was a CRD with four replicates. The treatments included: 332.5 g tree-1 (T1), 249.9 g tree-1 (T2), 166.6 g tree-1 (T3), 83.3 g tree-1 (T4), 72.5 g tree-1 (T5), and 0 g tree-1 (T0), with additional triple superphosphate and potassium chloride per tree. Results showed that HHM and urea had similar effects on leaf area, however, HHM significantly improved SPAD content and dry biomass of lateral roots. The optimal doses were 83.3 g tree-1 (T4) for leaf area, 332.5 g tree-1 (T1) for SPAD content, and 83.3 g tree-1 (T4) for dry biomass of lateral roots. This suggests that HHM can be an effective alternative to urea for cacao fertilization, particularly in improving SPAD content and root biomass.
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