THE EFFECT OF APPLICATION TECHNIQUE AND DOSAGE OF MATURE COCONUT WATER ON THE GROWTH OF COCOA (Theobroma cacao L.) SEEDLINGS

Abstract

Cocoa production in Indonesia has been decreasing; one reason is the decrease in land area. Expanding cocoa fields requires good seeds. This study aimed to determine the growth response of cocoa seedlings to the application Technique and dosage of mature coconut water and to determine the best application technique and dose of mature coconut water on the growth of cocoa seedlings. The experiment was conducted from April to August 2021 in the Ciparanje experimental field, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor. The experiment used was a randomized block design (RBD) with ten treatment combinations. The treatments used are A = Control (Without application of coconut water); B = Urea 2 g/plant  (synthetic fertilizer control); C = 200 mL foliar application ; D = 150 mL foliar application; E = 100 mL foliar application; F = 700 mL soil drench; G = 525 mL soil drench; H = 350 mL soil drench; I = 50 mL foliar application + 175 mL soil drench L; J = 100 mL foliar application + 350 mL soil drench. The experimental results showed that applying mature coconut water with foliar application with a dose of 100 mL consistently improved the height, chlorophyll content index, and root volume of cocoa seedlings. Meanwhile, a 525 mL soil drench dose has the best effect on plant height and root volume.