Increased cocoa production by foliar copper applications as an effect additional to witches' broom disease control
Mist-blown applications of Copper-Sandoz (monthly and half-monthly treatments) considerably reduced the number of Witches' Broom diseased pods and vegetative brooms. Dithane was not effective. An old, heavily infected plantation, where brooms had never been removed, recovered after monthly copper mist-blowing of the canopy during the wet season (startings one month in advance of the rains). Production rose by more than 80 per cent. High-volume spraying of the cropping region of the cacao tree involves the risk of damage to the flowers, with reduction in fruit-setting. With low-volume spraying this risk is non-existent and, moreover, experiments show that copper applications to the leaves result in considerable increases in flowering, effective fruit-setting and pod production during the main fruiting period. One or two foliar sprays applied shortly before a flowering period, using copper compounds resistant to rain-wash, will always be economical. Some addition of zinc and also of biuret-free urea may often be advantageous.
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| Format: | biblioteca |
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1959
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| Subjects: | THEOBROMA CACAO, CRINIPELLIS PERNICIOSA, ENFERMEDADES FUNGOSAS, FUNGICIDAS, COMPUESTO ORGANICO DEL COBRE, APLICACION FOLIAR, |
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