Comparative Effects of Organic Cocoa Shell-Based and Inorganic NPK Fertilization on the Growth and Yield of Four Cassava Varieties

Abstract

Looking of finding an alternative to the use of chemical fertilizers to increase yields of cassava (Manihot esculenta), trials were carried out in the Lamto zone in central Cote d’Ivoire. Thus, the effects of compost and ash from cocoa shell and NPK were tested on the agronomic parameters of cassava. The trial was conducted for two years with four varieties of cassava: Yace, Alleda agba, Six mois and Bonoua, grown on elementary plots treated with one of these fertilizers. The experimental design was complete randomized blocks with three replicates. Analysis of the results showed that the Six mois variety gave the longest stems (131, 67 cm) with the cocoa shell compost. The Bonoua variety, on the other hand, gave the largest diameter of the stem base (21.56 mm), a higher number of leaves (77.30) and a large wingspan (136.89 cm) with cocoa shell compost. The leaves developed by the plants of this variety were wider (19.30 cm) and longer (17.96 cm) with cocoa shell compost. Also, this Bonoua variety treated with shell compost yielded a high number of tuberized roots (5.11), high average weight per plant (5.83 kg/plant) and higher yield (58.29 t/ha). This compost of cocoa shell has also allowed a better conservation of the cultivated soils quality.