Thesis (MSc) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Plant Sciences and Technologies Department

Includes bibliography (sheets 37-41)

ABSTRACT
The study was carried out to investigate the impact of small, moderate, and big pot
sizes on the development and growth of cocoa seedlings in Liberia. The study
specifically demonstrated how cocoa seedlings in various pot sizes differed in terms
of growth, height, stem girth, number of leaves, and fresh and dry weight. In some
regions of West Africa, particularly Liberia, cocoa growing is extremely profitable.
The usage of pot sizes and their impact on the cocoa seedlings presents difficulties for
this type of agriculture. It is obvious that cocoa's physiological and morphological
reactions to the rooting volume might influence both their transplant and performance.
The study used a randomized complete block design with tiny, moderate and big pots
filled with soil samples taken with the aid of a pickaxe and manure from a depth of 0
to 15 cm. From the population of 150 potted cocoa seedlings employed in the study,
50 potted cocoa seedlings made up the sample. All hypotheses were tested at the
significance level of 0.05 after the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics
(mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics using Analysis of Variance
(ANOVA). The study's findings demonstrated that the three treatments—small,
medium, and large—were homogeneous before the experiment ever started. The
growth and survivability of cocoa seedlings were impacted by the usage of various pot
sizes. The results of the present study suggest that, among other things, especially
farmers cultivating elite varieties and hybrid cultivars can promote the productivity of
their cocoa plantations by using large size pots. Additionally, it was suggested that the
government provide cocoa farmers with grants and loans to adopt growing seedlings
in large size.
Keywords: Cocoa, Farmer, Growth And Development, Medium, Polythene Bags, Pot
Seizes, Small