Original Articles
Growth Performances of Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao) Varieties under Mature Oil Palm with Palm Oil Mill Effluent as Growing Media
Authors:
I. R. Palihakkara,
University of Ruhuna, Mapalana, Kamburupitiya, 81100
About I. R.
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture
W. D. P. Rodrigo,
University of Ruhuna, Mapalana, Kamburupitiya, 81100, LK
About W. D. P.
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture
E. M. U. I. Ekanayake
University of Ruhuna, Mapalana, Kamburupitiya, 81100, LK
About E. M. U. I.
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture
Abstract
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is a leading edible oil-producing plant established in tropical countries which cause many negative impacts. Poor productivity of monoculture plantations and land and aquatic pollution caused by haphazard release of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) are critical concerns. As a remedy, oil palm can be intercropped with cocoa by using POME as a potting media. In this study, we evaluated the growth of two different cocoa varieties with POME as the potting media under 20 years old oil palm shade. Two cocoa varieties (SCA6 x ICS6, and NA32 x ICS1) and three potting media (topsoil only, 40% topsoil with 60% POME, and 60% topsoil with 40% POME) were factorially combined in a randomized complete block design with three replicates under 40% shade, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. Growth parameters of the cocoa seedlings such as plant height, number of leaves, chlorophyll value, stem girth, root and shoot dry weights, root length, number of lateral roots per plant were measured using destructive and non-destructive sampling methods. The potting media consist of 40% topsoil with 60% POME showed significantly the highest plant height, number of leaves, chlorophyll value, stem girth, fresh and dry weight of shoot and roots and length of roots. Hence, potting media with 40% topsoil with 60% POME was recognized as the best potting media for the growth and development of cocoa seedlings of both varieties. Growth of cocoa seedling was well compatible under oil palm shade at full light condition with the use of POME as the potting media.
How to Cite:
Palihakkara, I.R., Rodrigo, W.D.P. and Ekanayake, E.M.U.I., 2022. Growth Performances of Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao) Varieties under Mature Oil Palm with Palm Oil Mill Effluent as Growing Media. Sri Lankan Journal of Agriculture and Ecosystems, 4(2), pp.79–93. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljae.v4i2.99
Published on
31 Dec 2022.
Peer Reviewed
Downloads
