Determinación del enraizamiento de patrones de cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) En diferentes tipos de sustratos en la finca Tigrillo de la ULEAM Extensión Chone.

Abstract

The research aims to determine the substrate that favors root development and more vigorous patterns in (Theobroma cacao L). This crop is essential to the economy of farms in Ecuador's coastal region. Despite the diversity of substrate recommendations, there is still no scientific evidence to validate these practices. Ecuadorian cocoa is a product of high demand both nationally and internationally, which underscores the importance of improving growing conditions to obtain more resistant and productive plants. The research also focuses on four types of substrates: black forest soil, combinations of black soil with humus, black soil with rice husks, and humus with rice husks. The study seeks to establish the best substrate to obtain vigorous cocoa rootstocks. The results indicate that the substrate composed of 80% humus and 20% rice husks (T3) promoted the highest root growth compared to the other treatments. These findings support the theory that substrates with high organic matter favor root development in cocoa seedlings, potentially improving crop yield and quality under controlled conditions.