<![CDATA[Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is a recalcitrant seed that has a short shelf life and is susceptible to decreased viability during storage. This study aims to determine the effect of the type of organic storage media and storage duration on the viability of cocoa seeds. The experiment used a factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with two factors, namely the type of storage media (cocopeat, rice husk charcoal, and sawdust) and storage duration (7, 14, 21, and 28 days), plus one control treatment (direct sowing). Data were analyzed using ANOVA, and when significant effects were observed, the BNJ test was performed at the 5% level. Observed variables included germination power, maximum growth potential, fresh weight of sprouts, and sprout length. The combination of storage media type and storage duration did not provide significant interactions with any of the observed variables. Cocopeat storage media produced the best values for all parameters compared with rice husk charcoal and sawdust, with 67% germination power and a maximum growth potential of 86%. A 7-day storage period gave the best results compared to other storage treatments. The control treatment consistently produced the highest values for all variables. The advantage of this study is the information obtained regarding effective organic storage media for maintaining cocoa seed viability during storage. It was concluded that cocopeat storage media with a 7-day storage period was the best combination in maintaining cocoa seed viability. Therefore, the use of cocopeat with a maximum storage period of 7 days is recommended for farmers, seed breeders, and cocoa cultivators to maintain seed quality before planting.]]>
