Growth and Biomass Distribution in Cocoa Varieties under Different Nitrogen Regimes

Among the 17 vital plant nutrients, nitrogen (N) is crucial in crop production. It extensively enhances the growth and biomass production of plants by improving photosynthesis and protein synthesis. To study the impact of three different N levels (40, 80, and 120 ppm) on the growth and biomass production of eight cocoa varieties, a hydroponic experiment was carried out at ICAR-CPCRI, Regional Station, Vittal. The results showed that increasing N concentration significantly boosted growth and biomass production. Among the different varieties, VTLCH-1 exhibited the highest plant height, maximum number of leaves, greater stem diameter, and the highest total fresh biomass with the application of 120 ppm nitrogen. Biomass partitioning analysis revealed that higher N levels increased leaf and stem biomass while reducing root biomass, leading to a higher shoot-to-root ratio. This indicates that N application influences the biomass production and distribution in the plant.