Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) on local coconut hybrid in a farmer-managed coconut-based farming system

Secretaria and Margate (PCA) conducted a seven-year on-farm trial in Davao City to know the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the vegetative growth, nutrient status, and yield performance of intercropped coconut hybrid, CAT x LAG or PCA 15-1.

Findings

• Vegetative growth of PCA 15-1 revealed that ammonium sulfate + NaCl and goat manure + NaCl produced significantly bigger girth size on the first year and more leaves and living fronds on the second and fourth years, respectively. These treatments also enhanced early flowering (range of years) and yield (range of nuts) in hybrid palms.
• The organic fertilizers, i.e., goat manure and coconut husk became more effective in their effects on the vegetative and reproductive characters of palms when combined with a Cl source (NaCl).
• The application of Cl contributed to the better performance of palms during drought.
• The application of goat manure resulted in improved levels of soil nutrients K, Ca, Mg, and P, and increased percent base saturation and lower soil acidity.
• The use of PCA 15-1 and ISFM-based low cost production inputs such as ammonium sulfate, goat manure/coconut husk and common table salt, as well as, intercropping suitable crops under young coconuts was a profitable package of technologies capable of improving and increasing coconut farm productivity in the Philippines.

Source: PCARRD, 2002. Highlights 2001, Los Banos, Laguna.

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