Growth and Nutrition of Cacao Seedlings Influenced by Zinc Aplication in Soil

Abstract

-Levels of Zn in tropical soils profoundly influences growth and nutrition of tree crops. Research was undertaken to assess the effect of soil Zn on growth and nutrition of clonal cacao tree seedlings of PH 16. Three acidic Oxisol soils differing in texture were used with nine doses of Zn (0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 48, ). Rooted clonal seedlings were grown in plastic pot with 11 dm -3 of the soils at varying Zn levels for 240 days. At harvest growth (dry matter mass of leaves, stems, shoots, roots, and total) and nutrient concentrations were determined. The clonal cacao seedlings showed differences for production of dry matter mass and foliar nutrient concentrations for P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu. There was Zn toxicity in all soils. Index terms: Theobroma cacao L., micronutrient, calibration fertilization. -3 dos solos com níveis variáveis de Zn, por 240 dias. Na colheita, o crescimento (massa de matéria seca de folhas, caules, brotos, raízes e total) e os teores de macro e micronutrientes foram determinados. As mudas clonais de cacau apresentaram diferenças para a produção de massa de matéria seca e teores de nutrientes foliares para P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn e Cu. Houve toxidez de Zn em todos os solos. Termos para indexação: Theobroma cacao L., micronutriente, calibração de adubação. CRESCIMENTO E NUTRIÇÃO DE MUDAS DE

Effect of oil palm compost and sandy soil on the growth of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) seedlings

“…B is essential for root development since many plants have specific B transporters, which are crucial in plant metabolism (Pereira Leal et al, 2021). At the same time, Zn acts mainly as a transporter and in hormonal control of plants affecting cacao seedlings' overall growth and development (Neto et al, 2015). However, is important to apply these elements with caution since research suggests that they have an antagonistic effect but under high application ratios the use of Zn or B may enhance balance of these nutrients (Long & Peng, 2023).…”

“…One of the essential parts of the crop's success is the seedlings' quality (Sodré Andrade & Gomes Sena, 2019). Therefore, adequate nutrition and substrate are needed to maintain adequate growth and tolerance for abiotic and biotic stress (Marrocos et al, 2020;Neto et al, 2015). The main characteristics of an adequate substrate are good physical conditions and nutrients to sustain the plants during the nursery stage, being the first three months important for good root growth and nutrient acquisition (Reyes Moreno et al, 2021).…”

Application of various concentration of liquid organic fertilizer on vegetative growth of cocoa

“…The dominant nutrients contained in the liquid organic fertilizer used were N of 0.83% and K of 0.25%. According to [3,4], that the growth of a plant will be optimal if the nutrients needed are available in quantities and forms that are in accordance with the needs of the plant. Meanwhile, the lowest increase in plant height was found in treatment r 4 with a concentration of 100 ml/l (1.863 cm).…”

“…One way to improve seedling growth can be done by adding plant nutrients or nutrients through fertilization. Plants will thrive when the nutrients needed can be fulfilled [3]. Types of fertilizers can be divided into two, namely, organic and inorganic fertilizers.…”

Stable Isotope Analyses Reveal Impact of Fe and Zn on Cd Uptake and Translocation by Theobroma cacao

“…In regard to cacao, a positive correlation has been found between Zn and Cd in leaves, as well as between the Zn in beans and Cd in leaves [ 37 ]. Soil and foliar Zn treatments have been studied both to overcome symptoms of Zn deficiency [ 38 , 39 ] and to mitigate against Cd toxicity [ 20 ]. It was found in a pot experiment that increasing soil Zn concentrations decreased both root uptake of Cd and translocation to the leaves [ 20 ].…”