Evaluation of nutrition sources in cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) and their impacto in yield

Abstract

Introduction. Cacao is an economically important crop; some key parameters that determine its yield are the availability, absorption, and distribution of essential nutrients. Objective. This study evaluated the effect of three fertilization sources—chemical fertilizer, organic compost, and a control treatment without fertilizer—on yield components in cacao. Materials and methods. At the INIFAP Rosario Izapa Experimental Field in Chiapas, Mexico, the effect of three nutrient treatments (chemical fertilizer, compost, and a control) on the yield components of six cacao clones (CATIE R4, Regalo de Dios, CAERI 1, CAERI 2, CAERI 4, and SCA12) was evaluated. The experiment was established using a randomized complete block design with three replicates, each replicate containing three trees per clone. Twenty fruits were harvested and evaluated from each clone. Results. Organic compost was the most effective fertilizer source, showing significant improvements in the number of fruits and dry weight of the grains. Chemical fertilization showed a limited response, similar in some cases to the control treatment, indicating low efficiency under certain soil conditions. The control treatment yielded similar values ​​to the organic fertilization treatment for the total number of seeds.

Limitations/Implications: Cocoa nutrition operates as a closed system influenced by multiple interacting factors. Among these, shade trees play a critical role, either contributing nutrients or competing for them within the system. In certain cases, their effects cannot be quantitatively assessed.

Conclusions/Findings: These findings suggest that the use of compost not only improves cacao productivity but also represents a sustainable strategy that contributes to the agroecological resilience of the production system.