Abstract

Currently, cocoa cultivation areas are found in the southern, northern, eastern, and northeastern regions of Thailand. Cocoa husks can be fermented or burned to serve as a soil conditioner. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth of Suwan 5720 field corn seedlings grown in soil mixed with cocoa husk ash compared to other growing media. The experiment was set as a completely randomized design with four treatments: soil, soil mixed with burned rice husk, soil mixed with cocoa husk ash, and soil mixed with peat moss. Five-day-old corn seedlings were planted at four plants per treatment, with three replications per treatment. After four weeks of cultivation in the four different growing media, it was found that corn seedlings grown in soil mixed with peat moss and soil mixed with cocoa husk ash had significantly greater average plant height. Corn seedlings grown in soil mixed with peat moss had the highest average leaf width, leaf length, plant weight, fresh leaf weight, and dry leaf weight, all with significant differences. Additionally, the growth of corn seedlings in soil mixed with cocoa husk ash did not significantly differ from those grown in soil or soil mixed with burned rice husk.