Effects of soil substrate quantity and sowing method on cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) seedlings growth in Togo

Abstract

Cocoa is one of the outstanding cash crops in Togo, but the orchards are old and require the rehabilitation trough replanting and good cocoa seedlings. A study was conducted in nursery to investigate the effect of soil quantity and sowing method on cocoa seedlings growth. The treatments were a quantity of depleted bulk soil in two pots (2120 and 1055 cm 3) and the cocoa seeds were sown by three methods: Direct sowing in pot and replanting small seedling growth after 10 and 15 days on seedbed. The seedlings were regularly watered in the same conditions and data were collected on growth parameters (seed germination ratio or seedlings lifting percentage, root length, stem girth, plant height and number of leaves). As demonstrated by the results, the growth parameters of cocoa seedlings in the two quantities of soil are not significantly different (p<0.05). Therefore, no difference is found between the effects of soil quantity on seedlings growth, while it is affected by sowing method. Replanting cocoa small seedlings must be done 10 days after seed lifting. It is economic for farmers to use the small pots (1055 cm 3) for cocoa nursery instead of the big one as recommended actually.