Yield, Production Losses, Fertility Status, and Soil Microbial Population in Three Different Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)-Based Cropping Systems in an Oxisol in Southern Cameroon
Cocoa is a vital crop globally, yet its production is influenced by various cropping systems that can significantly affect its field performance and long-term sustainability. This study aimed to evaluate how different cropping systems impact yields, losses from pests and diseases, soil fertility, an...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | International Journal of Agronomy |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/ioa/8888362 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Cocoa is a vital crop globally, yet its production is influenced by various cropping systems that can significantly affect its field performance and long-term sustainability. This study aimed to evaluate how different cropping systems impact yields, losses from pests and diseases, soil fertility, and microbial populations in cocoa cultivation. Three distinct cropping systems were examined within a 65-ha orchard in southern Cameroon: cocoa monoculture without shade (cropping system 1), cocoa grown alongside forest trees and Persea americana (cropping system 2), and cocoa in association with Inga edulis and Dacryodes edulis (cropping system 3). Data collected on production metrics, soil fertility, and microbial populations revealed significant differences (p<0.05) among the cropping systems. Cropping system 2 demonstrated the highest performance across several production variables, including the number of pods per tree, fresh pod weight, number of beans per pod, and both fresh and dry bean weights. The yield was also notably higher in this system. Conversely, the percentage of losses due to pests and diseases was not significantly different among the three systems, with System 1 at 42.18%, System 2 at 41.21%, and System 3 at 43.09%. In terms of soil fertility, cropping system 2 exhibited superior conditions along with a more diverse microbial population. The dominant bacterial genera identified included Actinomycetes, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Clostridium, and Streptomyces, while the fungal genera included Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Trichoderma. Interestingly, the soil bacterial load was highest in cropping system 3 at 1.89 × 106 CFU.g−1, whereas cropping systems 1 and 2 had higher fungal loads at 2.09 × 106 CFU.g−1 and 1.91 × 106 CFU.g−1, respectively. These findings suggest that cropping systems that integrate cocoa with forest species and Persea americana not only yield better results but also enhance ecological functions related to microbial diversity and soil fertility in cocoa plantations. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1687-8167 |