Micronutrient Formulations for Cocoa on the DTPA Extractable Micronutrient Status in Coconut Intercropping Systems

Abstract

Cocoa is an inevitable intercrop of coconut plantations in southern states of India. Micronutrient deficiency in cocoa plantations is a potential yield depressing factor which warrants immediate attention. Ubiquitous deficiency of micronutrients is noticed to the tune of 17% of DTPA Fe, DTPA Mn in 7.5%, DTPA Zn in 71.2% and DTPA Cu in 32.5% in the cocoa growing locations. Hence micronutrient mixture was developed at Coconut Research Station, Aliyarnagar so as to elicit the impact of application of micronutrient mixture on DTPA extractable micronutrient status and on the productivity of cocoa. Experiments included testing various grades of micronutrient formulations applied in soil along with foliar spray. Results revealed that micronutrient mixture grade 3 resulted in higher available DTPA status by 10-35% compared to other formulations. However grade 3 showed higher status of DTPA extractable micronutrients and it showed statistical parlance with grade 4. Foliar application of micronutrients did not create noteworthy impact on soil fertility status.