Initial evaluation of the agroforestry systemcoco (Cocus nucifera), cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.), banana (Musa paradisiaca Simmons) in the municipality of Tumaco department Nariño, Colombia

Abstract

Three planting densities were evaluated in an agroforestry system with cocoa, banana, and coconut under environmental conditions in the municipality of Tumaco (vereda Las Delicias), department of Nariño, Colombia. A completely randomized block design was used with 3 treatments and 3 replications for a total of 9 experimental units; treatment one (T1) corresponded to: cocoa 3 m x 4 m(833 plants/ha), coconut 9.5 mx9.5m(111plants/ha)andbanana3mx4m (833 plants/ha); treatment two (T2): cocoa 3 m x 4 m (833 plants/ha), coconut 10 m x 10 m (100 plants/ha) and banana3 m x 4 m (833 plants/ ha); treatment three (T3): cocoa 3 m x 4 m (833 plants/ha), coconut 12 m x 12 m (69 plants/ha) and banana 3 m x 4 m (833 plants/ha). In coconut differences were highly significant (p<0.0001) for the variable diameter with an indicator of 21.88 cm for T2. In the case of cocoa, significant differences were found in the variable’s height growth of 56 cm, diameter growth with an indicator of 6.33 cm and branch emission with 4.33 for T3. With respect to banana, significant differences were only found in the variables number of leaves 3.87 in T2, number of hands per bunch with 6.40 in T1 and finger weight 566 g in T2.