Work

Evaluation of Soil Quality and Health Sustainability of Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao) Crop in Two Production Systems, Morona, Santiago, Ecuador

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The productive evaluation of cocoa in this research is proposed through an assessment of soil quality and crop health in an organic production system (SPO) Taisha canton and a conventional production system (SPCv) Morona canton. Methodology: Altieri and Nicholls establish a diagnosis of chemical, physical, biological and health indicators, with weightings high (10), medium (5) and low (1). Results: SPO soil quality, reflects weights 10 (high) for ammonium ion, zinc, copper, iron, manganese, moisture retention, biological activity, compaction, apparent density, residue status, color, organic matter, root development, erosion incidence; 5 (medium) potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur, pH, texture; 1 (low) magnesium, boron, topsoil depth, for crop health values of 10 (high) appearance, crop growth, stress resistance or tolerance, weed competition, agrosilvopastoral system, plant diversity and management system, 5 (medium) potential yield, incidence of pests and diseases. The SPCv soil quality presented a weighting of 10 (high) for nitrogen, zinc, copper, iron, biological activity, compaction, bulk density, color, organic matter, root development, erosion incidence; 5 (medium) manganese, pH, texture, moisture retention, residue status; 1 (low) potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, topsoil depth; crop health 10 (high) crop appearance and growth, stress resistance or tolerance, weed competition, agrosilvopastoral system, plant diversity, management system, potential yield, 5 (medium) incidence of pests and diseases, 1 (low) surrounding natural diversity. Conclusions: The SPO for soil quality: 7.41 and for crop health: 7.59 weighted as sustainable, while the SPCv for soil quality: 6 and crop health: 6.76, resulting in a moderately sustainable production system.

Source: Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences

DOI: 10.30564/jees.v7i1.7600

Authors: Juan Haro, Maribel Chillogallo, William Carrillo, Carla Haro, Cristian Jara

Institution: Escuela Superior Politécnica del Chimborazo

Language: English

Topic: Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy

Subfield: Horticulture

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Life on land, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo