Growth Response of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Seedlings on Various Planting Media Administration

Abstract

Growth response of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) seedlings on various planting media administration. This research aimed to determine the growth response of cocoa seedling plants with the application of various compost media. The purpose of this research was to provide information regarding the type of compost combination that was suitable for the growth of cocoa seedlings. This research was conducted in Sugihwaras Village, Wonomulyo Subdistrict, Polewali Mandar Regency, West Sulawesi, Indonesia from October 2020 to January 2021. The analytical method used in this research was the Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 8 treatments: 1) 1:1:1 (Soil + Cow Manure + Sand), 2) 2:1:1 (Soil + Cow Manure + Sand), 3) 1:1:1 ( Soil + Tofu Dregs + Sand ), 4) 2:1:1 (Soil + Tofu Dregs + Sand), 5) 1:1:1 (Soil + Vermicompost + Sand), 6) 1:1:1 (Vermicompost + Cow Manure + Tofu Dregs), 7) 2:1:1 (Soil + Vermicompost + Cow Manure), 8) 2:1:1 (Soil + Cow Manure + Tofu Dregs). Each treatment was repeated three times, so that the number of samples was 72 plants. This study indicated that the treatment of Soil + Cow Manure + Sand media with a ratio of 2:1:1 gave the best effect on the plant height, plant weight, and root length of cocoa seedlings.