Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Deficiencies Impact the Transition from Juvenility to Maturity in Theobroma cacao L
The juvenile to mature transition is a pivotal stage in the life cycle of Theobroma cacao L. A controlled greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on this transition, denoted by formation of the jorquette, in young cacao shoots. Five...
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Fruit Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15538362.2025.2482685 |
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| author | Maya Weinstein Shahar Baram Uri Yermiyahu Ludmila Tsehansky Assaf Elmakias Ellen R. Graber |
| author_facet | Maya Weinstein Shahar Baram Uri Yermiyahu Ludmila Tsehansky Assaf Elmakias Ellen R. Graber |
| author_sort | Maya Weinstein |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The juvenile to mature transition is a pivotal stage in the life cycle of Theobroma cacao L. A controlled greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on this transition, denoted by formation of the jorquette, in young cacao shoots. Five N levels, two P levels and two K levels were evaluated. Stem growth, drainage volume, and irrigation and drainage water chemistry were determined periodically. The apical meristem was examined routinely for initiation of the jorquette. The treatments did not affect growth, but the difference in time to jorquette between the lowest and highest N treatments was 6 months, an increase in time of 87%. Low P treatment also delayed the transition (338 versus 227 days, a 49% increase in time). At the lowest N dose, 40% of the trees did not mature by the experiment end (468 days). Significant delays in maturation due to insufficient nutrients can have negative ramifications for cacao yield, and particularly when is followed by delays in flowering onset caused by nutrient deficiencies. Optimizing nutrient availability at different cacao growth stages could improve yield, guide planting and fertilization, improve plot management and facilitate fruit harvest. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4e7c8e2b016344e38cda388ae07cfefd |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1553-8362 1553-8621 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Fruit Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-4e7c8e2b016344e38cda388ae07cfefd2025-08-20T03:06:48ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Fruit Science1553-83621553-86212025-12-01251364710.1080/15538362.2025.2482685Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Deficiencies Impact the Transition from Juvenility to Maturity in Theobroma cacao LMaya Weinstein0Shahar Baram1Uri Yermiyahu2Ludmila Tsehansky3Assaf Elmakias4Ellen R. Graber5The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Food Agriculture and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, IsraelInstitute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute, Newe Yaar Research Center, Ramat Yishay, IsraelThe Robert H. Smith Faculty of Food Agriculture and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, IsraelInstitute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeZion, IsraelInstitute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeZion, IsraelInstitute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeZion, IsraelThe juvenile to mature transition is a pivotal stage in the life cycle of Theobroma cacao L. A controlled greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on this transition, denoted by formation of the jorquette, in young cacao shoots. Five N levels, two P levels and two K levels were evaluated. Stem growth, drainage volume, and irrigation and drainage water chemistry were determined periodically. The apical meristem was examined routinely for initiation of the jorquette. The treatments did not affect growth, but the difference in time to jorquette between the lowest and highest N treatments was 6 months, an increase in time of 87%. Low P treatment also delayed the transition (338 versus 227 days, a 49% increase in time). At the lowest N dose, 40% of the trees did not mature by the experiment end (468 days). Significant delays in maturation due to insufficient nutrients can have negative ramifications for cacao yield, and particularly when is followed by delays in flowering onset caused by nutrient deficiencies. Optimizing nutrient availability at different cacao growth stages could improve yield, guide planting and fertilization, improve plot management and facilitate fruit harvest.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15538362.2025.2482685FertilizerNPKmaturationjorquettecontrolled conditionsgrowth rate |
| spellingShingle | Maya Weinstein Shahar Baram Uri Yermiyahu Ludmila Tsehansky Assaf Elmakias Ellen R. Graber Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Deficiencies Impact the Transition from Juvenility to Maturity in Theobroma cacao L International Journal of Fruit Science Fertilizer NPK maturation jorquette controlled conditions growth rate |
| title | Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Deficiencies Impact the Transition from Juvenility to Maturity in Theobroma cacao L |
| title_full | Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Deficiencies Impact the Transition from Juvenility to Maturity in Theobroma cacao L |
| title_fullStr | Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Deficiencies Impact the Transition from Juvenility to Maturity in Theobroma cacao L |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Deficiencies Impact the Transition from Juvenility to Maturity in Theobroma cacao L |
| title_short | Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Deficiencies Impact the Transition from Juvenility to Maturity in Theobroma cacao L |
| title_sort | nitrogen phosphorus and potassium deficiencies impact the transition from juvenility to maturity in theobroma cacao l |
| topic | Fertilizer NPK maturation jorquette controlled conditions growth rate |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15538362.2025.2482685 |
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