Evaluación comparativa de tres hormonas enraizantes en la propagación asexual de cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) variedad CCN-51 en el cantón La Troncal.

Abstract

Vegetative propagation of CCN-51 cacao offers an alternative for obtaining uniform, high-quality plant material; however, rooting and cutting survival can be affected by environmental factors and propagation management practices. This study aimed to determine the effect of three rooting hormones on CCN-51 cacao plant quality and to conduct an economic analysis of the treatments using the benefit–cost ratio. The study was conducted in Colonia 10 de Agosto, La Troncal Canton, Cañar Province, Ecuador, using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments and three replications. The treatments consisted of Hormodin 2, Hormodin 3, Hormonagro, and an untreated control. The evaluated variables included the number of dead plants, plant height, number of leaves, and root length at 60, 70, and 80 days. The results showed no significant differences among treatments in terms of the number of dead plants or plant height. However, differences were observed in the number of leaves at 70 and 80 days and in root length at 80 days. Hormodin 2 showed the greatest root length and plant height at 80 days, whereas Hormodin 3 achieved the highest number of leaves per plant. In the economic analysis, Hormodin 2 achieved the highest benefit–cost ratio and a net benefit of $458.80. It is concluded that Hormodin 2 showed the best productive and economic performance under the study conditions.