Abstract
The methods of sowing and the specific conditions of the seeds used have a significant impact on the complex process of plant growth. The choice of seed location not only reflects the genetic and physiological characteristics of the plant but also helps to make it healthier. This, in turn, leads to improved growth and higher yields in various agricultural environments. In this study, an experimental design was implemented to analyze different methods of planting cacao seeds to determine which method is most effective in minimizing root and hypocotyl malformations. For the seeding process, it was ensured that all samples were from the same source. Two types of substrates and three different levels of seed placement were selected to serve as the basis for cultivation in soil contained in polyethylene bags. The experimental design was randomized with two factors and three levels, resulting in a total of 18 samples. The results were analyzed using the Design of Experiments (DOE) methodology in Minitab® software, along with photographic documentation of seed growth after 15 days. The analysis revealed that the seeds sown in the vertical position had fewer malformations. Specifically, 83% of the total samples fell into this category, which is consistent with a normal distribution. It can therefore be concluded that vertical seed positioning is the most effective planting method for promoting healthy growth and minimizing malformations.
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Acknowledgments
This document is part of the INDEX project titled “Use of Methodologies and Tools for Improvement and Innovation in Business Processes,” approved by Universidad de la Costa under SIGP code GRA.1302-01-001-16 on May 19, 2021. The authors thank the SIGME research group for their support in preparing this paper.
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Torres-Mercado, A., Eustate-Daza, K., Moreno-Cruz, J., Cerna, G.P., Troncoso-Palacio, A. (2025). A Design of Experiments to Analyze Crop Growth Based on Seed Position in Sowing. In: Guarda, T., Portela, F., Gatica, G. (eds) Advanced Research in Technologies, Information, Innovation and Sustainability. ARTIIS 2024. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 2346. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-83210-9_9
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