Soil Characteristics Limiting Cocoa Yields in Azaguié, Southern Côte d'Ivoire: Implications for Production Improvement
BOUADOU oi Bouadou Félix *
UFR Earth Sciences and Mining Resources (STRM), University of Félix Houphouët- Boigny (UFHB), 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Ivory Coast, Côte d'Ivoire.
TANOH Adjoua Germaine
Soil, Water and Geomaterials Sciences Laboratory (LSSEG), University of Félix Houphouët- Boigny (UFHB), 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Ivory Coast, Côte d'Ivoire.
BONGOUA Affi Jeanne Epouse DEVISME
Soil Science and Sustainable Agriculture (PAD), University of Félix Houphouët- Boigny (UFHB), 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Ivory Coast, Côte d'Ivoire.
ETTIEN Djetchi Jean Baptiste
Soil Science and Sustainable Agriculture (PAD), University of Félix Houphouët- Boigny (UFHB), 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Ivory Coast, Côte d'Ivoire.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The need to improve cocoa yields in the locality of Azaguié (5° 37'29‘ N, 4° 09' 01’ W) prompted this study. In a cocoa plantation, a topographic sequence (oriented N45° - L: 200 m) comprising a summit, upper slope, middle slope and lower slope was selected for the study. On each topographical segment, pseudo soil pits were dug at the foot of the cocoa trees (1 metre from the trunk). Soil samples from depths of 0–30 cm were taken and sent to the laboratory for physical and chemical analysis.The pH levels range between 5.2 and 5.8. This indicates highly acidic soils at the top and acidic soils at the bottom of the slope. Good potassium levels (K+: 0.3–0.6 cmol.kg-1) and moderate calcium levels (Ca2+: 2.3–2.9 cmolkg-1) were noted, compared with very low magnesium concentrations. Except for the soils at the summit, which have unacceptable phosphorus levels (P: 29.7 mg.kg-1), the soils at the top, middle and bottom of the slope are depleted in P, organic matter (OM) and nitrogen (N). The attachment sites for exchangeable bases on the ground at the bottom of slopes are moderately occupied (V: 27%). The addition of lime and organic matter in the form of well-decomposed compost is recommended to improve cocoa tree yields.
Keywords: Yield, cocoa trees, chemical characteristics, soils, Azaguié, Ivory Coast