Foliar analysis as a diagnostic technique in cocoa nutrition. I.—Sampling procedure and analytical methods

✍ Scribed by D. K. Acquaye

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1964
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 729 KB
• Volume: 15
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-5142
• DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.2740151208

✦ Synopsis

The analytical methods used in foliar diagnosis a t the Cocoa Research Institute, Tafo, are described : and their accuracy and precision tested by statistical analysis. The variables which might influence the harvesting of a representative leaf sample were studied. The age, size and position of leaf with respect to light and time of day of sampling affected nutrient concentrations of N, P, K, Mg and Ca in the leaves. Sampling of alternate trees of a plot of IOO trees (planted at 8 ft. x 8 f t ) indicated that on the average about 50% and 14% of the tree population should be sampled to show a significant difference of 100/0 and 2 0 % respectively a t P = 0.05.

A sampling procedure is recommended.