PERBANDINGAN METODE PEMANGKASAN UNTUK MENINGKATKAN EFISIENSI KERJA TIM PEMANGKASAN TANAMAN KAKAO (Theobroma cacao L.) DI MARS COCOA RESEARCH STATION, PANGKEP, SULAWESI SELATAN

ABSTRACT
COMPARISON OF PRUNING METHODS TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY IN THE COCOA PLANT PRUNING TEAM (Theobroma cacao L.) AT MARS COCOA RESEARCH STATION PANGKEP, SOUTH SULAWESI

Fauziyah Ahmad Abdillah
21.05.031

Pruning is one of the cultivation techniques that play an important role in cocoa crop management. This activity aims to improve garden conditions by increasing sunlight reception and facilitating air circulation. Pruning also helps prevent pest and disease attacks, stimulates flower and fruit growth, and supports the increase in cocoa crop production. The importance of pruning activities in cocoa plants is the basis for this research. This study aims to determine the best and efficient pruning method from five different methods. This research was conducted at Mars Cocoa Research Station Pangkep, South Sulawesi in March-June 2024. The research design used a quantitative approach with an experimental method with observation parameters namely work performance (trees/day), pruning tools, plant age (years), and pruning time (hours). This study had 5 treatments, namely single, double, manual, single manual and mechanization, and double manual and mechanization methods with 3 pruning teams as replicates. The research was conducted on plants aged >4 years. Based on the research that has been done, it shows that the single method (1 person per row) is the best and efficient method in plants aged >4 years with an average efficiency level of 135.11%.
Keywords: efficiency, cocoa, pruning