Antonio V. Veloso and Tung Ly
ABSTRACT
Fertilizer requirements of coconut seedlings belonging to Baybay Tall variety grown on four most Important “coconut soil” types (Palo clay loam, Maasin clay, Gulnbala-on clay and Fara-on clay) in the Island of Leyte were studied. Four fertilizer rates were tried, namely: 30 g (NH4),SO4 + 35 g KCI, 60 g (NH4),SO4 + 70 g KCI, 30 g (NH4),SO4 + 30 g NaCI, and 60 g (NH4)2SO4 + 60 g NaCI per seedling. Results showed that applica-tion of 30 g (NH4)2SO4 + 30 g NaCl produced taller seedlings with bigger girths and lesser degree of leaf spot/blight disease Infection compared to unfertilized seedlings. Other fertilizer treatments did not cause better seedling growth than did the above mentioned rate. However, none of the fertilizer treatments exerted any significant effect on leaf production rate and number of days to leaf splitting. These observations were true regard-less of soil types. Application of 30 g NaCI was found to be more effective than 35 g KCI and as effective as 70 g KCI In reducing the disease incidence. Considering both the effectiveness and cost of NaCI, (NH4),SO4 NaCI at 30 g each per seedling is recommended for coconut seedlings grown on soils in Leyte. This rate is about half of the national recommended rate.
Keywords: Coconut seedling. Baybay Tall, soil type. Fertilizer level. Chlorine source. Ammonium sulfate.
Annals of Tropical Research 4(3):(1982)
Full PDF