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February 05, 2024 | Bulletin of the National Research Centre |

Researchers from Nangui Abrogoua University, the University of San-Pedro, and the National Agronomic Research Center (CNRA) in Côte d’Ivoire conducted a study on the effects of soil type and fertiliser on the growth of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana). Mangosteen trees are slow-growing, typically taking 8 to 15 years to bear fruit, which hinders their adoption by farmers. This study aimed to evaluate whether different soil types and fertilisation methods could shorten the vegetative phase of mangosteen trees, facilitating wider cultivation and contributing to poverty reduction in rural areas.

The study monitored mangosteen growth over 36 months, comparing the effects of lowland soil and forest soil, and the use of foliar and granular N-P-K fertilisers. Results indicated that lowland soil significantly enhanced plant growth, with growth rates of 53.08 ± 7.30% compared to 41.51 ± 13.43% for forest soil. Fertilisation also played a crucial role, with both foliar and N-P-K fertilisers leading to earlier fruiting, beginning in the 5th year of cultivation.

In conclusion, the study demonstrated that soil type and fertilisation significantly affect mangosteen growth, with lowland soil and the use of specific fertilisers effectively reducing the juvenile phase and promoting earlier fruit production. These findings offer practical insights for improving mangosteen cultivation practices.

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