Estándar DRIS: una herramienta para evaluar el estado nutricional del cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) en Colombia

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is considered one of the most important crops in Colombia; however, nutritional disorders have been associated with reduced yields. The objective of this study was to establish a Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) standard for K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and S2+. Data were obtained from an experimental cocoa plantation located in the Department of Cauca, Colombia. A statistical analysis of 1440 interactions among foliar nutrients was performed based on means, variances, coefficients of variation, and standard deviation. The cocoa clones evaluated were CCN-51 (self-compatible) and ICS-39 (self-incompatible). Based on the highest variance values, 15 nutrient relationships were selected as DRIS standards for assessing the nutritional status of cocoa in Colombia. These relationships were identified as NP, NK, NCa, NMg, NS, KP, KCa, KMg, KS, CaP, CaMg, CaS, MgS, MgP, and SP. The nutrient indices revealed deficiencies in the order K > N > Ca > Mg and excesses in the order S > P for CCN-51. In contrast, ICS-39 showed deficiencies in the order K > Ca and excesses in the order P > Mg > N > S.