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ABSTRACT
The study was carried out between May and August 2023 in the screenhouse of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City to evaluate the effect of spent mushroom substrate admixed with top soil on the growth of cacao seedlings.The trial involved five levels (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200g) of spent mushroom substrate admixed in 3kg topsoil laid in a completely randomized design (CRD) and replicated three times. Data were collected on plant height, stem girth, number of leaves and leaf area starting at three weeks after sowing (WAS) and subsequently at two weeks intervals. Results showed that spent mushroom substrate application to top soil significantly (p<0.05) enhanced seedling growth of cacao seedlings as the vegetative growth values were higher with plants grown on polybags with spent mushroom than on top soil alone. Top soil treated with spent mushroom substrate at 50g application rate produced the most vigorous seedling with the highest height (10.33cm), thickest stem (2.6cm), highest number of leaves (26.22) and largest leaf area (1425cm²). Therefore, spent mushroom substrate applied at 50g per 3kg is thereby suggested for cacao seedling growers.
