Evaluation of Soil Quality and Health Sustainability of Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao) Crop in Two Production Systems, Morona, Santiago, Ecuador

Abstract

The productive evaluation of cocoa in this research is proposed through an assessment of soil quality and crop health in an organic production system (SPO) Taisha canton and a conventional production system (SPCv) Morona canton. Methodology: Altieri and Nicholls establish a diagnosis of chemical, physical, biological and health indicators, with weightings high (10), medium (5) and low (1). Results: SPO soil quality, reflects weights 10 (high) for ammonium ion, zinc, copper, iron, manganese, moisture retention, biological activity, compaction, apparent density, residue status, color, organic matter, root development, erosion incidence; 5 (medium) potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur, pH, texture; 1 (low) magnesium, boron, topsoil depth, for crop health values of 10 (high) appearance, crop growth, stress resistance or tolerance, weed competition, agrosilvopastoral system, plant diversity and management system, 5 (medium) potential yield, incidence of pests and diseases. The SPCv soil quality presented a weighting of 10 (high) for nitrogen, zinc, copper, iron, biological activity, compaction, bulk density, color, organic matter, root development, erosion incidence; 5 (medium) manganese, pH, texture, moisture retention, residue status; 1 (low) potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, topsoil depth; crop health 10 (high) crop appearance and growth, stress resistance or tolerance, weed competition, agrosilvopastoral system, plant diversity, management system, potential yield, 5 (medium) incidence of pests and diseases, 1 (low) surrounding natural diversity. Conclusions: The SPO for soil quality: 7.41 and for crop health: 7.59 weighted as sustainable, while the SPCv for soil quality: 6 and crop health: 6.76, resulting in a moderately sustainable production system.