EFFECT OF ORGANIC MANURE-ENRICHED GROWTH MEDIA ON GERMINATION AND EARLY GROWTH OF COCOA (Theobroma cacao L.) SEEDLINGS IN IGBOORA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Growth medium is an important factor in the germination and early growth of cocoa plants. In view of this, a pot experiment was conducted in the screen house of Crop Production Technology department to evaluate the effect of organic-enriched growth media on germination and early growth of cocoa seedlings over a period of one month. The treatments were Control (Top soil only), Top soil + Sawdust, Top soil + Poultry Manure, Top soil + Cow Dung, Top soil + Swine Dung, Top soil + Sawdust + Poultry Manure, Top soil + Sawdust + Cow Dung and Top soil + Sawdust + Swine Dung. The treatments were replicated 10 times and arranged in a completely randomized design. The treatment mixture (Top soil + Sawdust) was done at 3:1, while the organic manures were applied at 10 tons/ha (equivalent to 50 g per pot). Data collected were germination percentage, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and leaf area. The collected data were subjected to analysis of variance and significant means were compared using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 5% probability. The application of organic manures enhanced the growth performance of cocoa plant, and Top soil + Sawdust was significantly higher compared to other treatments. Top soil + Poultry manure, Top soil + Sawdust and Top soil + Cow dung had the highest significant germination percentages (90%, 89% and 88%) and, produced the highest significant plant height (25.00 cm, 24.00 cm, 23.00 cm), number of leaves (10.50, 10.20, 10.00), leaf area (55.00 cm2, 53.00 cm2, 52.50 cm2) and stem diameter (1.80 cm, 1.78 cm, 1.75 cm) respectively compared to other treatments. The addition of organic manures to the growth substrates improved the germination and early growth of cocoa seedlings. The use of Top soil enriched with poultry manure was recommended for improved early growth of cocoa plant.