Incidence of bioproducts in the development of Theobroma cacao L. micrografts in the nursery

Abstract

The research was carried out in the propagation nursery “With Women's Hands”, belonging to the Baracoa Agroforestry and Coconut Company, in the period December 2023 - April 2024; with the aim of evaluating the effect of bioproducts on the development of micrografted cocoa seedlings (Theobroma cacao L.) in the nursery. A loose sialitic brown soil with carbonates was used, and organic matter from the decomposition of the cocoa shell at a ratio of 3:1. The bioproducts were applied foliarly with a 16 L Matabi backpack every 15 days from the sprouting of the first pair of leaves and the evaluations were carried out every six days after the application of the product. The type of bioproduct was studied, composed of the combination of CBFERT and Nitrofix®; 10 treatments were carried out and the indicators, graft stem diameter (cm), graft height (cm), number of leaves (u) and leaf area (cm2) were evaluated. The data were processed using the IBM SPSS Statistics statistical software. The application of bioproducts produced a beneficial effect on the nutrition of the cocoa micrografts in their nursery phase, which was reflected in the growth of the seedlings, as well as by promoting more ecological agricultural practices, not only increased productivity, but also achieved environmental sustainability. The best responses were achieved with the applications of Nitrofix®; treatment 1 (3 ml Nitrofix® in one L of water) was the one with the best performance in the evaluations carried out.

Keywords: Nitrofix®, CBFERT, Soil, Organic Matter