Is soil fertility the limiting factor of yield in agroforestry cocoa (Theobroma cacao) in Haiti?
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Authors
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Predner Duvivier
Universite d'Etat d'Haiti
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Gelin Doréus
College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine of the State University of Haiti
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ROBERS PIERRE Tescar
College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine of the State University of Haiti
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Ophny Nicolas Carvil
College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine of the State University of Haiti
Keywords:
organic fertilizer, field trials, compostAbstract
This study was carried out to evaluate the response of cocoa in agroforestry to organic fertilizer. Prior to experiments, individual surveys were carried out to estimate farm yield. Soil samples were taken and analyzed. Field trials were conducted to measure the effect of compost on yield. Laboratory analyses showed that the soil characteristics met the minimum requirements of suitability for the crop. Field trials results did not show significant effect of compost application on yield. These results mean that soil fertility is not the limiting factor of agroforestry cocoa yield in Haiti. Future researches are needed to investigate other factors, including plant age, planting density, plant protection, light control and genetic material. In the meantime, farmers are encouraged to compost cocoa pods and other crop residues to fertilize their plots, maintain the current level of soil fertility and avoid soil degradation.