Efecto de la aplicación de yodo en la germinación de semilla de cacao (Theobroma cacao)

Abstract

Cocoa is a plant of great economic importance worldwide, as it is the raw material for making chocolate. It is mainly cultivated in countries close to the equator on all continents, except Oceania. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research to optimize its cultivation and maximize its potential. This can contribute to increasing production and improving the quality of cocoa, which in turn can have a positive impact on the economies of producing countries. In this study, the effect of agricultural iodine on the germination of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) seeds was investigated. Different aspects of germination were examined, such as germination time, germination rate, mortality rate, plant height, and root length and volume. The experiment lasted for 4 weeks, and it was determined that agricultural iodine did not affect the germination time of the seeds and that high doses of iodine can negatively affect the germination and survival rates of the plants. However, it was observed that the immersion of seeds in a 5% agricultural iodine solution for 6 hours allowed for better results in terms of plant height, root length and root volume.