Crop Nutrition Management in the Philippines, Salient efforts and ...

DEVELOPMENT OF COCONUT CROP NUTRITIONMANAGEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES: SEQUENCE OFSALIENT EFFORTS AND MILESTONES (1975 – 2008)Severino S. Magat, PhDDepartment Manager III and Scientist IVPhilippine Coconut Authority/Department of AgricultureElliptical Rd., Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Email: sev_magat@yahoo.com__________________________________________________INTRODUCTIONAn organized and coordinated coconut R & D of the country had been operating foralready 41 years (1967 – 2008) to date. Because of the dynamics of the environment orecosystems, and the advances and introduction of genetic or planting materials incoconut agriculture, the search for effective and efficient crop nutrition and fertilizationfor productive, profitable and sustainable farming is continually pursued in thePhilippines from the period of the Philippine Coconut Research Institute (PHILCORIN)and FAO/UNDP Cooperation Research Program to the current President GloriaMacapagal-Arroyo government administration era. This important coconut industrydevelopment scientific and technological support is largely led by the PCA,particularly, through the Crop Agronomy, Nutrition and Farming Systems Program(CANFARMS) of the Research and Development, and Extension Branch (PCA-RDEB).The CANFARMS RDE program is technically based at the Davao Research Center(Bago-Oshiro, Davao City, Southern Mindanao) and supports the other R&D programs.Over a long period, due to our inability to access, review and harness outputs inscientific and technological initiatives and endeavors by public and private agencies, itis not surprising to find that many do not know the significant findings of the governmentcoconut industry authority (PCA) in the country on crop nutrition and fertilizationmanagement, hence the need to provide an updated information, educational andcommunication document (IECD) for the benefit of all involved in coconut farming,extension service, research, project planning, development program and policy anddecision-making.In the following sections is the chronological order (sequence) of significant orrelevant initiatives and findings by the Authority. Most of these had served extensivelyas a relevant basis or reference on coconut industry concerns dealing with ------objective development and extension directions and programs, and policies, includingtechnical and site-specific advisories and recommendations on management of fragilecoconut soils, agro-ecosystems, cropping systems, and balanced crop nutrients forcoconut farming and coconut-based farming systems (CBFS), through the PCA-RDEBservices to the coconut industry over the past and ensuing years.- 1 -

THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INITIATIVES AND FINDINGS1) 1975 – low yields of coconut in inland areas of the country improved by correctingthe strong or severe Cl deficiency by KCl application, confirming leaf Cl is linked withyield (a quadratic response with nut yield and a linear one with copra weight/nut andcopra per tree; copra weight/nut can be increased by 15-25%, hence not mainlygenetics of coconut but the positive interaction of Cl nutrition and genetic factor of thecoconut./ (Magat, Cadigal and Habana 1975).2) 1977 - Common salt or sodium chloride (NaCl, 55% Cl) as an effective andcheaper fertilizer and for the control of leaf spot fungus disease of coconut seedlings/(Magat, Margate and Prudente 1977).3) 1978 - The usefulness of foliar diagnosis (leaf analysis) in the conduct of fieldfertilizer trials (1975-1978) to demonstrate yield improvement and profitability byapplying combinations of singly fertilizers supplying the identified deficient nutrientsunder different sites; reported for the first time in an International Colloquium on CropNutrition and Fertilizer Usage ,Auckland, New Zealand/ (Magat 1978).4) 1979 - Significance of leaf analysis and network of field fertilizer trials (FFTs) as areliable tool in increasing productivity of nutrient-deficient coconut areas in thePhilippines was confirmed by the French Scientists through the FAO TechnicalWorking Session on Coconut Production, Manila, December 1979 /(Magat 1979).5) 1981 - Inland coconuts suffering from multinutrient deficiencies of N, Cl and Seconomically corrected with the application per tree of: 1.8 kg NH 4 SO 4 + 1.8 kg NaClor 1.8 kg NH 4 SO 4 + 2 kg KCl/ (Magat, Maravilla and Padrones 1981).6) 1981- The nationwide leaf survey (1978 – 1980) revealed widespread deficienciesin N, Cl and S of the existing stands of tall coconuts (2.7 M ha); grouped into 10distinct deficiency classes in a generalized map, with K, P, and Mg in some areas/(Magat, Habana, Escoton, Labarcon and Froilan 1981).7) 1980 to 1985 - A PhD Scholarship for S.S. Magat under the Colombo PlanBilateral Agreement (New Zealand and Philippines) centered to investigate themechanism of the relationship/link of crop growth and yield with Cl, K and Nanutrition. External Examiners of his PhD Research, Drs. Peter Draycott (UK) andRichard Martin (New Zealand), both recognized the originality and significantcontribution of the Magat findings to global science, and they strongly recommendedto exert efforts to published important aspects of his work on Beta vulgaris ( threepublished works with his Academic Supervisor, Prof/Dr K.M. Goh, Lincoln College,Univ. of Canterbury);8) 1988- Long-term common salt (NaCl experiment) on coconut confirmed theincreased in copra weight/nut and copra yield, with leaf-N as main determinant of nut- 2 -

yield, and leaf-Cl of copra (nut or copra/tree), using annual NaCl rates: 0.88, 1.76,3.52 and 7.04 kg/tree /(Magat, Margate and Habana 1988).9) 1988 - An estimate of the critical and optimum level of leaf-S of bearing palmsfound: 0.12% and 0.19% (leaf rank 14), respectively /(Magat, Alforja and Margate1988).10) 1988 – For the first time, an estimate of the critical level and optimum levels ofcoconut leaf-Cl found to vary with yield indices, as: leaf 14 critical level (both nutsand copra) – 0.30% Cl; optimum level: optimum level: nuts/tree – 0.50% Cl ;copra/nut – 0.55% Cl and copra/tree – 0.63% Cl /(Magat, Alforja and Oguis 1988).11) 1989 – The critical leaf-K confirmed and optimum leaf-K determined (leaf rank14) for bearing palms identified: 0.80% (nut yield); 1.0% (copra/nut); and 0.90%(copra yield/tree) /(Magat and Padrones 1989).12) 1990 – The requirement for nutrient chlorine (Cl - ) of coconut at differentdevelopment stages (from nursery to full-bearing stage) presented for the first timebased on the 15-years (1974 -1988) of PCA field research at the Davao ResearchCenter /(Magat and Margate 1990).13) 1992 – The positive residual effects of NaCl fertilizer on yield and leaf nutrient ofcoonuts revealed, indicating adequate leaf-Cl and stable yields within three yearsafter the 3-5 years of regular annual fertilizer application /(Magat, Habana andAlforja 1992).14) 1993 – a) Three chloride sources (KCl, NaCl and NH 4 Cl) showed similar positiveresidual effects when applied at 0.80 kg Cl/tree per year for 5-6 years; high yieldsmaintained by palms at leaf Cl of 0.50 – 0.60%, even with zero fertilization in the nextthree successive years /(Magat, Padrones, and Alforja 1993).- b)Ten years after the first nationwide yield-limiting factors (leaf nutritionaldiagnosis) survey, six (6) classes of nutrient deficiency was identified in 60 provincescovered, as follows: 1) N-K-Cl-S (4 provinces); 2) N-K-Cl-S-B (10 provinces); 3) N-K-Mg-Cl-S (2 provinces); 4) N-P-K-Cl-S (7 provinces); 5) N-P-K-Cl-S-B (34 provinces;and 6) N-K-P-Mg-Cl-S-B (3 provinces)/ (Magat et al 1993)15) 1995- Using foliar diagnosis (leaf analysis), the effectiveness of single fertilizerssupplying N, S, and Cl and Mg as NH 4 S0 4 , KCl, NaCl and dolomitic limestone asapplied in the rehabilitation of the World Bank-assisted SCFDP farms covering atleast 350,000 ha nationwide, showed results of 79 sample farms nationwide with anaverage increase up by: (1) 160% in nut yield , 220% in copra terms, and 240% innet incomes after 3-4 annual fertilizer applications, from benchmark annual yield dataof 35 nuts/tree and 0.94 tons copra/ha /(Magat 1995).16) 1997 – Highly effective manures as that from goat and chicken manure combinedwith a Cl-supplying fertilizer (KCl or NaCl) improved vegetative growth, early- 3 -

flowering, increased yield and improved drought-resistance of coconut palms(Secretaria and Maravilla, 1997).17) 2001 – a) Boron micronutrient application (30-50 g borax/sodiumtetraborate/octaborate per palm) once every 2 years applied to the soil on young(1-4) hybrid palms is necessary to prevent abnormal leaf development (i.e.,shortened petioles with almost no leaflets emitted, stick together or unseparatedlike a hand fan (Magat and Cruz 2001).- b) Application of cocopeat plus recommended inorganic N+K+Clfertilizers significantly increased nut and copra yields starting at 3 yr from initialapplications; increases drought resistance of palms (cocopeat holds 8 -10 timeswater) and provides 300% - 450% ROI (Magat et al 2001).18) 2003 - a) In the country, initiated by SS Magat at the PCA’s DavaoResearch Center, a 10-year search (1993-2003) for coconut-specific fertilizercompound with balanced multi-nutrients (N, P, K, Cl, S and B) revealed that theMagat formulated 14-5-20-0.02 (B), with adequate contents of Cl, S and Ca wasfound effective and cost-efficient for coconut at even lower rates of only 1-2 kg offertilizer/tree per year, under a coconut-fruit crop (Lanzones) cropping system. Atthe same time, this fertilizer grade for coconut is applied also to the fruit cropwhich requires high levels of leaf Cl (0.25%) like lanzones ( Lansium domesticumCorr.) fruit tree crop. Even at moderate rates of the 14-5-20-0.02 (B) was found tobe effective and economic for the fruit crop. In August 2004, the said fertilizergrade started to become available to farmers and growers as was launched by amajor fertilizer company in the Philippines.- b) Based on a review of the data on leaf nutrient levels of three (3) bearingdwarf varieties (Malayan yellow dwarfs, Catigan green dwarfs and Tacunan greendwarfs grown at the intermediate growing zone of the PCA-Zamboanga ResearchCenter (Western Mindanao, Philippines), the physiological leaf nutrient criticallevels were estimated. Using the average or considered normal values of thehistorical data (4 years), an initial general reference guide for critical nutrientlevels (leaf #14, dry matter): 1.70% N, 0.125%; 0.90% K; 0.38% Ca; 0.26% Mg;0.12% Na; 0.37% Cl; 0.15% S and 11 ppm B. (Magat 2003).19) 2004 – a) Bio-organic fertilizer (BOF) can be processed/produced usingorganic materials from plant residues (coir dust, baggasse mudpress, rice straw)and animal manures (chicken, swine, cattle, goat manures) with microbialinoculant e.g. Trichoderma harzianum. Composting in 3-4 wks compared to 3months without inoculant (Eroy 2004)- b) The variability of the nutrient contents and chemical properties of coirdust or cocopeat drived from coconut husk in different locations was noted. Coirdust is a fair supplementary source of N, P, K, and Cl, including micronutrients(B, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn). The acidity ranges from pH 5.2 -7.0; and EC 0.10 -1.67ms/cm based from: fresh ( 1 month), 3-5 months, and 1 year, under open-fieldpiling storage). Higher contents of K, Cl, and Fe of coir dust under coastal areas- 4 -

noted; but, contents of N, P, Ca, ca,Mg, S. B, Zn, Mn and Cu were found similarin coastal and inland areas. Under rainfall in open-field piling, Cl content droppedto < 0.25% at 3-5 months and

- b) An integrated crop management (ICM) of coconut hybrid (Catigandwarf Laguna Tall), with emphasis on N and Cl nutrient application, andcoconut beetle pest management (IPM) was studied at the PCA-DavaoResearch Center, Bago-Ohiro, Davao City. Three levels of N (as urea,46% N) and chloride (common salt, sodium chloride with 55% Cl) and IPMon the coconut pest were used and observed in 2000-2004 early growthperiod.Application of 0.40 – 1.5 kg NaCl/tree/yr during the first 4 years showedsignificant effects on stem girth, leaf production rate and living frond countof the local hybrid tested. Initial flowering was achieved at 2.25 yearsfrom fiel-planting at the average fertilizer application of N (375 g urea and2x rate of NaCl (1,600 g/tree/yr) and subsequent initial harvest in 3.9years. Highest 96 % flowering palms with low level of N and Cl vs 70 % ofcontrol (unfertilized palms). The application of fungus green muscardinefungus (GMF) provided effective control of coconut beetle pest(Secretaria, Magat, Aterrado and Margate 2006).23) 2008 - a) A 15-year long term Integrated Soil Fertility Management(ISFM) at different inorganic and organic fertilizer combinations (FCs) onthe coconut + lanzones fruit tree agro-ecosystem with emphasis on theapplication of multinutrient mineral fertilizer 14-5-20 (with 15% Cl, 4.5% Sand 0.02% B) was conducted in a tropical wet climate zone (Davao City,Southern Mindanao, Philippines).On coconut, the application of even the lowest rate of the multi-nutrientmineral fertilizer (MNF) at 1 kg /tree/yr produced sustained annual yields of3-4 tons/ ha (17,000 nuts/ha) vs 1.6 t (8,000 nuts/ha) benchmark yield. Onthe lanzones intercrop. The low MNF rate of 0.38 kg /tree/yr (at bearingstage, 8 – 14 years) with or without OF enhanced flowering andsweetness of fruits (25 o Brix). The increased in coconut (>3 tons copra /ha)and lanzones (>11 tons fruits/ha) yields was clearly associated with morebalanced nutrition (N, P, K, Cl and B). Moreover, soil organic matter(SOM), P and K during the 15 years cropping tended to contribute toimproved soil fertility levels. Profitability wise, very attractive BCR, IRRand NPV, 2.5, 328% and PhP115,645/ha ( at 18% interest) was obtainedby the agro-ecosystem ISFM studied (Magat, Secretaria, Mantiquilla andMargate 2008).- b) A techno-demo trial was conducted on the use of common salt(NaCl, 35% Na and 55% Cl) on cooking ‘Cardaba’ banana underbearing Laguna Tall coconuts at PCA-Davao Research Center tovalidate the effectiveness of common salt on banana yield, fruit qualityand as a control of ‘Bugtok’ disease of banana.The application of 1 kg NaCl on the hole of stump of harvested bananaadjacent to plants with developing inflorescence effectively controlled the- 6 -

disease, confirming the findings of Central Mindanao University (CMU)researchers earlier under open field conditions. The improvement in fruitquality and yield over the control by 8.6 kg/fruit or 4.26 tons/ha/croppingyear was shown. The leaf analysis of banana leaves indicated enhancedleaf-K content (2.3% up 3.3%) by banana crop from the soil . This islikely due to Na-K ionic soil exchange, rendering more K in soil solutionthus, more readily-available for root absorption by the banana plant.Banana leaf nutrient contents considered likely adequate: 1.94% N; 0.18%P; 3.27% K; 0.34% Ca; 0.24% Mg; 0.06% Na; 0.48% Cl; 0.13% S; 15 ppmB; 90 ppm Fe; 227 ppm Mn, 17 ppm Zn and 4 ppm Cu (Secretaria, Magatand Eroy 2008).Date last revised: 11 November 2008/ SS Magat/ PCA-RDEB, Central Office,Diliman, Quezon City.- 7 -