Mulching and Irrigation Practices on Cocoa Seedling Survival and Field Establishment

1. The study examined the effects of mulching and irrigation on cocoa seedling survival and establishment during the dry season in Ghana. 2. Results showed that irrigation and mulching significantly increased soil moisture content. Cocoa seedlings raised in topsoil, mulched and irrigated had the highest survival rate of 94.5%, while seedlings without irrigation or mulching had the lowest survival rate of 47.1%. 3. Irrigation had a significant positive effect on cocoa seedling survival, plant height, and leaf number. Seedling survival was 89.6% under irrigation versus 65.6% without irrigation. Mulching alone did not significantly affect seedling survival.