Growth and yield responses of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) to fungi arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizer prototypes with Different Spore Carrier Media and pruning

Bali is one of the organic cocoa producers in Indonesia, but its production has not met the national demand for cocoa. Bali is one of the cocoa producing centers is located in Buleleng Regency. In an effort to increase the growth and yield of cocoa plants, prototype mycorrhizal biofertilizers with different spore carriers can be used to improve soil fertility and cocoa productivity added with pruning treatment. This study aimed to determine the growth and yield response of cocoa to a prototype of mycorrhizal biofertilizer with different spore-carriers’ media and pruning. The study used a randomized block design with 2 factors and 6 replications. The results showed that the prototype of mycorrhizal biofertilizer with volcanic sand carrier media treatment gave the best results compared to others treatments. Pruning new shoots and the end of twigs 2-3 internode can provide the best growth and yield of cocoa. The interaction of mycorrhizal biofertilizer prototypes with different spore carrier media and pruning had a very significant effect only on leaf chlorophyll, leaf reducing sugar, and leaf sucrose content.