Growth performance of cocoa (theobroma cacao) hybrid seeds in different media

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the growth performance of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) hybrid seeds in different media. The study was carried out at the multipurpose crop nursery, college of Agriculture Education, Akenten-Appiah Menkah University Of Skills Training And Entrepreneurial Development. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replication and four treatments. The treatments were Topsoil , 50 % Topsoil + 50 % cocoa Husk , 50 % Topsoil + 50 % Rice Husk ,and 50 % Topsoil + 25 % Rice Husk + 25 % Cocoa Husk. 80 polybags were filled for each replication, making a total of 240 filled polybags and a seed was sown per polybag. 80 seeds were used for each replication making a total of 240 seeds for the study. The variables observed were plant height, number of leaves, canopy spread, leaf area, and stem diameter. The results showed no significant difference among most of the treatments. 50 % Topsoil + 25 % Rice husk + 25 % Cocoa Husk showed a better effect in improving the growth of cocoa seedlings among the treatment. It could be concluded that the 50 % Topsoil + 25 % Rice Husk + 25 % Cocoa Husk can support the growth of the hybrid cocoa (Theobroma Cacao) seedlings and could be used as a substitute for the topsoil.