Effect of biostimulant Banzaï and fertilizer on the yield of cocoa trees in the locality of N’gouanmoinkro, Central Côte d’Ivoire

¹ Peleforo GON COULIBALY University, Biological Sciences Training and Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry-Genetics, BP 1328 Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire.
² Peleforo GON COULIBALY University, Biological Sciences Training and Research Unit, Department of Plant Biology, BP 1328 Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire.
³ Polytechnic Mohammed VI University, Institute of Medical Sciences, Biologicals and Health Professions (ISMB-MS), Lot 660 Hay Moulay Rachid 43150 Benguerir, Morocco.
⁴ Ibn Tofail University, Faculty of Sciences, Laboratory of Biology and Health, BP 14000 Maroc.

Abstract

In order to minimize production losses, and limit the use of chemicals, several organic products have been developed. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of biostimulant Banzai and fertilizer on cocoa tree productivity. Conducted in the department of Toumodi, this study took place in one device with a cocoa field that has received fertilizer in the last three years (DAE) and another that has received no fertilizer in the past three years (DSE). The results obtained showed that the plots that had been applied to Banzai produced significantly more pods than the control plots without application of the biostimulant. Compared to controls, the production rate of pods is greater than between 38 and 70% in the unprecedented fertilizer plots (DSE) and between 51 and 80% in plots with previous fertilizer (DAE). However, the production of pods in treated plots is more than three times high in the DAE than in the DSE. This study shows the positive impact of biostimulant use on cocoa yield. In addition, it shows that the use of fertilizers during the experiment could be abandoned with a view to greater use of organic products at the expense of chemicals that have a detrimental effect on the environment and on the long-term health of populations.