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Vol. 17 No. 2 (2026)
Published 2026-09-26
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Copyright (c) 2026 Revista de Investigación Agraria y Ambiental

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Área Agrícola

Analysis of the potential of swine excreta as organic fertilizer in the production of Theobroma cacao seedlings

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22490/21456453.10142
Fredy Cuellar Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia image/svg+xml
Manuel Francisco Polanco Puerta Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia image/svg+xml
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Contextualization: The municipality of Tesalia, Huila, is located in the western part of the department, Colombia; within this area, pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus), cattle (Bos taurus) and crops such as cocoa (Theobroma cacao) and coffee (Coffea arabica) stand out. All with  high agroecological potential.

Knowledge gap:  Although there is economic development, it is not sustainable, as evidenced by the lack of knowledge among cocoa and pork producers, whose activities generate soil contamination in different areas of the municipality,

Objective: To analyze the potential of swine excreta and post-harvest residues of Theobroma cacao in the preparation of organic fertilizer for the nutrition of cacao seedlings in the municipality of Tesalia, Huila.

Methodology: By means of a composting process, mixtures were prepared with different proportions of swine manure and cocoa residues, forming four experimental treatments with three replicates each. The composted fertilizer was characterized through physicochemical analysis, and morphophysiological variables were evaluated in 144 seedlings, such as height, number of leaves, stem diameter, and fresh and dry weight of the aerial and root parts.

Results and conclusions: The results showed significant differences among the treatments, with T4 (75% swine excreta and 25% cocoa waste) standing out for its higher nutritional contribution and better performance in plant growth. In addition, the economic analysis showed that the production cost of organic fertilizer and seedlings is competitive with commercial fertilizers, representing a viable alternative for small producers. The compost obtained complies with the parameters established in the national regulations for organic fertilizers, strengthening its potential for scaling up as an agroecological and green business input. This study highlights the importance of integrating agroecological and circular economy practices in territories suitable for agricultural and livestock activities, promoting the efficient use of waste, reducing negative environmental impacts and improving cocoa productivity. It also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

keywords: Composting, Nursery, Organic fertilizer, Sustainability, Swine manure
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How to Cite

Cuellar, F., & Polanco Puerta, M. F. . (2026). Analysis of the potential of swine excreta as organic fertilizer in the production of Theobroma cacao seedlings. Revista De Investigación Agraria Y Ambiental, 17(2), 160-181. https://doi.org/10.22490/21456453.10142
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