The aim of this work was to determine the physical characteristics of substrates of sawdust and to evaluate their effects on the growth of cacao cuttings. The experiment was carried out in random block, 2 x 4 x 2 with factorial design. The treatments were formed from two sawdust residues originated from the districts of Una (SU) and Camacan (SC), Bahia state, Brazil, four proportions (v:v) of sawdust and sand (1:0; 8:1; 4:1, and 2:1) and two growth containers (tubettes of 288cm³ and polyethylene bags of 840 cm³). The Trinidad Select Hybrid clone (TSH 1188) was used for micro-cuttings measuring between 4 and 6 cm in length. The cuttings were initially treated with IBA 6000 mg kg-1, after inserted in tubes filled with prepared substrates, and then maintained for 40 days in a vapor chamber for root development. Subsequently, the cuttings were transferred to the greenhouse where they either remained in their respective tubes or were transplanted into polyethylene bags and allowed to grow during five months. After this period, the following parameters were evaluated: plant height, stem diameter, above ground biomass and root biomass, number of leaves, and leaf area. Physical analysis of substrates confirmed that particle size distribution was determined by the proportion of sawdust and sand. Dry and wet particle density increased while organic matter content and total porosity decreased with the addition of sand. The transplanting of cuttings in bags used sawdust from Una-BA districts in the proportions sawdust: sand 2:1 and 4:1 facilitated more growth and can be recommending to propagation of cacao cuttings clone TSH 1188.
sawdust; cacao cuttings; propagation
