Organic compost: Effects on the development of cocoa seedlings

Abstract

In order to evaluate the effect of substrates and organic fertilization on the production of cocoa seedlings, as well as to define the recommended proportions, an experiment was carried out to evaluate the vegetative development of cocoa seedlings as a function of different proportions of organic compound. The experiment was installed in a greenhouse of the Center of Agrarian, Environmental and Biological Sciences of the Federal University of the Reconcavo of Bahia. The experiment duration was 120 d, using a completely randomized design with seven treatments and six replications, totaling 42 experimental plots, each one represented by one plant. The analyzed variables were: leaf dry matter (SPS); dry matter of the stem (MSC); aerial part dry matter (MSPA); root dry matter (MSR) and total dry matter (MST). The total dry mass of the cocoa seedlings increased with the use of 33 % of soil + 33 % of compound + 33 % of vermiculite when compared to the other proportions.