Response of fine flavour and bulk cacao seedlings on acid soils to liming

• Published in: Menara Perkebunan (Indonesia) Vol. 59; no. 1
• Main Authors: Hardjono, A, Tuti-Warsito, Widiastuti, H. (Pusat Penelitian Perkebunan Bogor (Indonesia))
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 1991
• Subjects: AMENDEMENT CALCIQUE; CHAULAGE; ENCALADO; ENMIENDAS CALIZAS; FERRALSOL; FERRALSOLES; PLANTULAS; PLANTULE; SOL ACIDE; SUELO ACIDO; THEOBROMA CACAO
• ISSN: 0125-9318

Extension of cocoa planting in Indonesia necessitates the utilization of acid soils, in regions where climatic factors are suitable for cocoa. Since cocoa is not tolerant to soil acidity, liming of such soil is required for a good plant growth and a high yield. To assess the response of cocoa on acid soil to liming, a green house experiment was conducted at Bogor Research Institute for Estate Crops, using Latosol (Acrisol Orthic, FAO 1976) of Bunisari, West Java, and seedlings of fine flavour (DR 1) and bulk cocoa (UAH). Seven rates of liming, i.e. 0.00; 0.25; 0.50; 0.75; 100; 1.25; and 1.50 times the exchangeable Al content of the soil were tested. Plant dry weight, nutrient uptake, and selected chemical properties of the soil were observed six months after planting. The results showed that liming at the rate of up to 1.50 times the exchangeable Al content of the soil linearly improved the growth of both types of cocoa seedlings. Therefore, optimum liming rate of soil for cocoa planting could not be determined from the experiment. However, it appeared that the seedlings of bulk cocoa (UAH) were more tolerant to soil acidity than those of the fine flavour cocoa (DR 1).