Pengaruh Komposisi Media Tanam Vermikompos Terhadap Pertumbuhan Bibit Kakao (Theobroma cacao L.)

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vermicompost-based growing media compositions and determine the most effective composition for the growth of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) seedlings. The study was conducted from February to May 2026 at the experimental field of Payakumbuh State Agricultural Polytechnic, Tanjung Pati, West Sumatra, Indonesia. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used with five treatments and five replications: P0 (1.75 L : 1.75 L), P1 (1.16 L : 1.16 L : 1.16 L), P2 (0.875 L : 0.875 L : 1.75 L), P3 (0.7 L : 0.7 L : 2.1 L), and P4 (0.583 L : 0.583 L : 2.3 L), involving a total of 125 plants. The observed parameters included seedling height, number of leaves, maximum leaf length, maximum leaf width, and fresh weight. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) at the 5% significance level. The results showed that the composition of vermicompost-based growing media significantly affected all growth parameters. Treatment P1 produced the best growth, with an average seedling height of 25.00 cm, 11.13 leaves, a maximum leaf length of 24.93 cm, a maximum leaf width of 8.95 cm, and a fresh weight of 24.67 g. Therefore, the growing medium composition used in P1 was the most effective treatment for promoting cocoa seedling growth.