Cocoa Pod Husk Biochar Reduce Watering Frequency and Increase Cocoa Seedlings Growth

Abstract

Biochar amount applied in the growing soil medium may decrease water use of cocoa seedling during dry season and hence may increase water use efficiency, thus a polybag experiment was carried out in the Glasshouse Agricultural Faculty, Halu Oleo University, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi Indonesia in 2016to evaluate the effect of cocoa pod husk (CPH) biochar and watering frequencies on growth of cocoa seedlings.The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with seven cacao pod husk (CPH) biochar levels (without CPH biochar, 3 g CPH biochar kg-1 soil, 6 g CPH biochar kg-1 soil, 9 g CPH biochar kg-1 soil, 12 g CPH biochar kg-1 soil, 15 g CPH biochar kg-1 soil dan 18 g CPH biochar kg-1 soil) and three watering frequencies (every two days, every four days and every six days) in three replications. Results showed that CPH biochar and watering frequency significantly influenced soil moisture. The rate of CPH biochar amendment determined watering frequency and cocoa seedling growth rate. CPH biochar improved cocoa seedling growth and reduced watering frequency. Cocoa seedlings treated with 9 g CPH biochar kg-1 soil and 60 g CPH biochar kg-1 soil with every six days of WF increased WUE by 208.8% and 262.22%, respectively, compared to no biochar application.