Theobroma cacao L. GROWTH PERFORMANCE ON ORGANIC COMPOST MEDIA
Authors: Nurafiza, A.
Journal Issue: Malaysian Cocoa Journal, Volume 14/2022
Keywords: Theobroma cacao L., soils, growth performance, organic, compost
Published On: 10/05/2022
Abstract
Main role of soil is to accelerate the function of plant roots and soil borne microbes and nutrients availability. Mainly functioning through the soils, nutrients in the soils might be the most important factor to affect the growth of plants and their phytochemical contents. Infertile soil may lead to high percentage of seedlings mortality and unhealthy seedlings. In standard nursery practices, soil media used is mainly soil without any other mixture. The research study was carried out in the nursery of Malaysian Cocoa Board Research and Development Centre, Sarawak from April to November, 2017. The cocoa seedlings were planted into three different soil composition under 50% light intensity shade with T1 is soil mixed with pure chicken manure, T2 is soil mixed with organic compost and T3 is soil mixed with organic compost and sand. Approximately 243 cocoa seedlings of one-month grafted were used in this study. Three clones involved were MCBC8, KKM22 and APA4. Mean height (cm) and diameter increment (mm) were recorded biweekly within eigth months study period. The field layout design was a randomized complete block designed (RCBD) with three replicates. Hence, this research study was conducted to determine the effect of different soil composition on cocoa seedlings growth performance at nursery stage. The combination of compost and sand does have significant effect on enhancing cocoa seedlings height by improving soil structure. Total diameter increments within eight months period (for all three clones) were only slightly different whereas T1 with 3.54±0.29mm, followed by T2 and T3 with 3.95±0.12mm and 3.95±0.16mm. The combination of top soil, GML, CIRP, organic compost and sand gave better growth performance of cocoa seedlings.