TITLE:
Macronutrient Analysis of Soil and Leaf for Diagnosing the Nutritional Condition of Different Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Cultivars in Quintana Roo, Mexico
AUTHORS:
Maria Del C. Silverio-Gómez, Jorge H. Ramírez-Silva, Matilde Cortazar-Rios, Edgar E. Sosa-Rubio, Gilbert J. Herrera-Cool
KEYWORDS:
Nutrimental Conditions, Nutrient Availability, Optimal Fertilization, Macronutrient, Diagnosing
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.9 No.12,
December
9,
2022
ABSTRACT: In Mexico, various strategic programs and technological management packages have been implemented to promote the coconut value chain. Those strategies are related to the introduction of new promising coconut germplasm. However, a successful genetic program is only possible if the nutritional conditions of the materials are properly known to support a fertilization strategy. The objective of this work was to diagnose the nutritional condition of soils and plants of different Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) cultivars in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Six cultivars were studied in three locations: Xul-ha with Creole Colima Tall from the Mexican Pacific, Bacalar 1: with the Tagnanan Hybrid from Philippines, Bacalar 2-INIFAP with four ecotypes: Rotuma Tall (Fiji Oceania), Markham Valley Tall (Papua Nueva Guinea), Creole Michoacan Tall (Mexican Pacific) and Malayan Yellow Dwarf (Malaysia). Soil and foliar samples were taken and analyzed for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg). The content of N and P in all six cultivars were below the optimal level. It is assumed that N and P deficiencies are related to low N and P contents in the soils. P deficiencies were found in all cultivars due to its low soil availability. At high pH values, the available form (H2PO4-) can precipitate by reacting with calcium (Ca2+) or magnesium (Mg2+) to form slightly soluble phosphates. All soils showed K contents in excess but the "Tagnanan Hybrid" of Bacalar 1 showed deficiencies; may be related to the extremely high Mg. The Ca in leaves of the six cultivars were above the optimal level as consequence of its very high concentration in the soils. Even though, all soils had Mg levels ranging from optimal to excess, five of the six cultivars showed Mg deficiencies, excepting the "Tagnanan Hybrid" of Bacalar 1 with the highest excess levels of Mg in the soil.