TITLE:
Comparative Effects of Organic Cocoa Shell-Based and Inorganic NPK Fertilization on the Growth and Yield of Four Cassava Varieties
AUTHORS:
Konan Kouakou Marius, Kouamé N’guessan, Kouassi Kouadio Ignace, Koffi Kouamé Kévin, Kouamé Kouassi, Zoro Bi Irié Arsène, Dogbo Dénézon Odette
KEYWORDS:
Cocoa Shell Ash, Cocoa Shell Compost, Cassava Variety, Growth, Yield
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Soil Science,
Vol.10 No.6,
June
5,
2020
ABSTRACT: Looking of finding an
alternative to the use of chemical fertilizers to increase yields of cassava (Manihot
esculenta), trials were carried out in the Lamto zone in central Côte
d’Ivoire. Thus, the effects of compost and ash from cocoa shell and NPK were
tested on the agronomic parameters of cassava. The trial was conducted for two
years with four varieties of cassava: Yacé, Alleda agba, Six mois and Bonoua,
grown on elementary plots treated with one of these fertilizers. The
experimental design was complete randomized blocks with three replicates.
Analysis of the results showed that the Six mois variety gave the
longest stems (131, 67 cm) with the cocoa shell compost. The Bonoua variety, on the
other hand, gave the largest diameter of the stem base (21.56 mm), a higher
number of leaves (77.30) and a large wingspan (136.89 cm) with cocoa shell compost. The leaves
developed by the plants of this variety were wider (19.30 cm) and longer (17.96
cm) with cocoa shell compost. Also, this Bonoua variety treated with
shell compost yielded a high number of tuberized roots (5.11), high average
weight per plant (5.83 kg/plant) and higher yield (58.29 t/ha). This compost of
cocoa shell has also allowed a better conservation of the cultivated soils
quality.