FertiGroe® nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) nanofertilizers are seen to improve cacao’s nutrient uptake and yield. Nano-formulation of N, P, and K improves nutrient use efficiency, reduces the toxicity of the soil, and reduces the frequency of application of fertilizers.
The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and the University of Southeastern Philippines-Tagum City Campus (USeP-Tagum City) are currently testing the technical efficiency of the formulated FertiGroe® N, P, and K nanofertilizers for cacao. This is through the project, “Development of Application Protocol and Field Verification of FertiGroe® N, P, K Nanofertilizers in Coffee and Cacao.”
Funds for the project are sourced from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), while monitoring was assigned to the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of DOST (DOST-PCAARRD).
This project is one of the seven components of the program "Optimization of the Production and Use of FertiGroe® N, P, and K Nanofertilizers in Selected Agricultural Crops.” This program aims to optimize the production and develop application protocol for FertiGroe® N, P, and K nanofertilizers in rice, corn, vegetables, sugarcane, coffee, cacao and banana.
Dr. Juanito T. Batalon, Director of the PCAARRD - Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD), and the project team led by Mr. Ulysses P. Besas, discussed the project’s status and accomplishments during the recently conducted field monitoring visit.
According to the project team, initial findings show that FertiGroe® supplementation to coffee clonal seedlings resulted in plants that are significantly taller, heavier, and with faster leaf production rate.
Field evaluation trials are ongoing. The project will be completed next year.
