EFFECT OF CHLORINE SOURCES AND AMMONIUM SULFATE ON THE GROWTH OF COCONUT SEEDLINGS GROWN ON FOUR SOIL TYPES

Abstract

Fertilizer requirements of coconut seedlings belonging to Baybay Tall variety grown on four most important "coconut soll" types (Palo clay loam, Maasin clay, Guinbala-on clay and Fara-on clay) In the island of Leyte were studied. Four fertilizer rates were tried, namely: 30 g (NH₄)₂SO₄ + 35 g KCI, 60 g (NH₄)₂SO₄ + 70 g KCI, 30 g (NH₄)₂SO₄ + 30 g NaCl, and 60 g (NH₄)₂SO₄ + 60 g NaCl per seedling. Results showed that application 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 regardless of soil types. Application of 30 g NaCl 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 NaCl, (NH₄)₂SO₄ + NaCl 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.