The effects of surface cover conditions on cocoa production

Ghulam Mohd Hashim, . (1998) The effects of surface cover conditions on cocoa production. [Proceedings Paper]

Good cover management is crucial for successful soil conservation in rainy tropical areas. The objective is not merely to control erosion so that downstream areas are protected but also to improve on-site soil fertility and enhance soil physical conditions for plant growth. Cocoa growth and production were monitored with respect to two cover management practices at a hilly area in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The practices were clean weeding with chemicals T1 and T3 and mixed cover with circle weeding T2 and T4. Runoff and sediment concentration were measured on an event basis using Parshall flumes height recorders stilling basins and suspended-sediment sampling devices. Soil erosion as reflected by sediment concentration was consistently higher in T1 and T3 largely due to low surface contact cover. The maintenance of living ground vegetation in T2 and T4 not only minimised erosion but also helped to retain a large proportion of Gliricidia and cocoa leaf litter. These led to improvements in surface soil fertility. In addition bio-activity as reflected by the presence of earthworms termites etc. were noticeably higher in T2. Thus its soil surface was more friable and contained more bio-pores. When analysed using GUEST Griffith University Erosion System Template technology the value of beta a soil erodibility parameter for T2 was higher than that for T1 consistent with the friable soil conditions and the higher level of biological activity. However runoff in T2 and T4 was very low because of high infiltration. Gradual improvements in plant growth were detected through monthly girth measurements. In addition the improvements in surface soil conditions have also led to higher pod production. This paper discusses the above and shows the increases in cocoa production at various stages of the study.

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Abstract

Good cover management is crucial for successful soil conservation in rainy tropical areas. The objective is not merely to control erosion so that downstream areas are protected but also to improve on-site soil fertility and enhance soil physical conditions for plant growth. Cocoa growth and production were monitored with respect to two cover management practices at a hilly area in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The practices were clean weeding with chemicals T1 and T3 and mixed cover with circle weeding T2 and T4. Runoff and sediment concentration were measured on an event basis using Parshall flumes height recorders stilling basins and suspended-sediment sampling devices. Soil erosion as reflected by sediment concentration was consistently higher in T1 and T3 largely due to low surface contact cover. The maintenance of living ground vegetation in T2 and T4 not only minimised erosion but also helped to retain a large proportion of Gliricidia and cocoa leaf litter. These led to improvements in surface soil fertility. In addition bio-activity as reflected by the presence of earthworms termites etc. were noticeably higher in T2. Thus its soil surface was more friable and contained more bio-pores. When analysed using GUEST Griffith University Erosion System Template technology the value of beta a soil erodibility parameter for T2 was higher than that for T1 consistent with the friable soil conditions and the higher level of biological activity. However runoff in T2 and T4 was very low because of high infiltration. Gradual improvements in plant growth were detected through monthly girth measurements. In addition the improvements in surface soil conditions have also led to higher pod production. This paper discusses the above and shows the increases in cocoa production at various stages of the study.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
AGROVOC Term:	THEOBROMA CACAO
AGROVOC Term:	EROSION
AGROVOC Term:	SEDIMENT
AGROVOC Term:	SOIL CHEMICOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES
AGROVOC Term:	TECHNOLOGY
AGROVOC Term:	SOIL CONSERVATION
AGROVOC Term:	INFILTRATION
AGROVOC Term:	SOIL FERTILITY
AGROVOC Term:	PENINSULAR MALAYSIA
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:27
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16230

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