Effect of Biological Amendment on the Agro-Morphology of Cocoa Companion Species (Irvingia gabonensis, Garcinia kola, Tieghemella heckelii, and Beilschmiedia mannii) at the Nursery Stage
Description
The study specifically focused on the effect of organic amendments on the morphophysiological parameters of four companion tree species of cocoa during their juvenile stage. The species involved were Irvingia gabonensis (Kplé), Garcinia kola (Petit Cola), Tieghemella heckelii (Makoré), and Beilschmiedia mannii (Bitéi). Four different treatments were applied: T0, which consisted of soil from the top 10 cm of an old cocoa plantation; T1, a mixture of two-thirds T0 soil and one-third rice husk biochar; T2, T0 soil enriched with 0.5 kg of composted poultry manure; and T3, a combination of T1 and T2. This dataset provides a detailed overview of tree growth, leaf physiology, and biomass accumulation for these species across various treatments. By tracking these variables, the dataset enhances our understanding of how different environmental and experimental factors influence tree health, growth, and resource allocation. This data is crucial for advancing tree physiology knowledge and improving sustainable tree management practices. Each record in the dataset is linked to a specific experimental setup via a block identifier and treatment number. These identifiers connect observations to particular conditions or factors applied to the trees, helping assess how each treatment affects tree growth and health. The dataset includes both the scientific and common names of the species studied, such as Irvingia gabonensis (Kplé), Garcinia kola (Petit Cola), Tieghemella heckelii (Makoré), and Beilschmiedia mannii (Bitéi), which aids in the analysis of physiological characteristics across the species. For each tree, the dataset records various growth parameters, including height and diameter, which provide an indication of the trees' overall growth and size under different conditions. The total number of leaves is also recorded, offering insights into leaf production and plant health. Specific measurements of both young and old leaves are also tracked, allowing for the observation of leaf growth dynamics and changes over time. Physiological data, such as chlorophyll content, is collected at three time points (18/12/2020, 11/02/2021, and 14/03/2021), offering important information about the trees' photosynthetic abilities and leaf health. Biomass measurements, recorded on 27/05/2021 and 31/05/2021, provide data on root and aboveground biomass, helping to understand how trees allocate resources between root and shoot growth and overall development. Spanning several months from tree assessments in December 2020 to biomass measurements in May and June 2021, the dataset enables researchers to track tree development over time. This allows for the assessment of how growth metrics evolve in response to different experimental treatments and environmental conditions.
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Steps to reproduce the study Selection of Tree Species: The study involved four companion tree species of cocoa: Irvingia gabonensis (Kplé), Garcinia kola (Petit Cola), Tieghemella heckelii (Makoré), and Beilschmiedia mannii (Bitéi). These species were selected for their potential use as companion crops in cocoa agroforestry systems. Experimental Design: The experiment followed a split-plot design with two factors and four replications. Main Factor: The substrate (soil treatment) with four treatments: T0: Soil from the top 10 cm of an old cocoa plantation. T1: Two-thirds T0 soil mixed with one-third rice husk biochar. T2: T0 soil enriched with 0.5 kg of composted poultry manure. T3: A combination of T1 and T2. Secondary Factor: The species involved in the study (four species). The design consisted of 64 elementary repetitions, with four blocks (each block contains the four treatments and the four species), totaling 384 plants (96 plants per tree species). Planting and Acclimatization: The plants were acclimatized for two weeks to allow them to regain vigor after the initial treatment and handling. Six individuals (plants) of each species were included in each elementary treatment, resulting in a total of 96 plants per tree species. Data Collection on Morphophysiological Parameters: Leaf Emission and Growth Measurements: Leaf emission was monitored monthly for three months after repotting. The height growth of each plant was estimated by the difference between the initial and final height measurements. Radial growth was measured by comparing the collar diameter of each plant at the beginning and end of the three-month observation period. Height was measured using a tape measure, and collar diameter was measured with a caliper. Vegetative Vigor Index: The vigor index was calculated using the formula :Vigor Index (V) = Height / Collar Diameter This index quantifies the plant's vitality based on height and diameter. Leaf Area Measurement: A non-destructive method was used to estimate the leaf area by measuring 30 leaves of varying sizes per species. The formula obtained was: y = 0.7409 × (L × l)⁰.⁹⁴⁷⁶ with a determination coefficient R² = 0.9809 . Using this formula, it was sufficient to measure the length and width of leaves in the field, compute the product (L × l), and infer the approximate leaf area systematically. Dry Biomass Measurement: At the end of the experiment, destructive sampling was used to measure the dry biomass. Fresh weight of the different plant organs (leaves, stem, roots) was recorded, and then the samples were oven-dried at 60°C for 48 hours. The water content was determined using the following equation: Water Content=((Fresh Weight-Dry Weight))/(Fresh Weight) Chlorophyll Content: Chlorophyll content was measured monthly across all plants using a SPAD-502 Plus chlorophyll meter in young and old leaves at three positions: proximal, central, and distal.