Evaluation of selective cocoa clones from Central and South America in their initial years of growth

Abstract

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) adapted well to arecanut and coconut based cropping systems of India. In the process of widening the genetic base, initial introductions were made from Malaysia and Nigeria and utilised in breeding programs of ICAR-CPCRI, Regional Station, Vittal. Later few collections were made from the native zones of cocoa, the Central and South America comprised of fifteen specific clones such as Bolivar (B), Pound (POU), Rio Branco (RB), Rosario Izupa Marico (RIM), Santa Cruz (SCZ) and Trinitario Selected Hybrid (TSH). These were planted at a spacing 2.7m x 5.4m under 2.7m x 2.7m spaced arecanut during 2007 and observed for their adaptability and performance. Five trees each of these clones were conserved and evaluated in completely randomized design with single tree plots. Growth characters were recorded annually and tree height (m), girth (cm) and canopy area (m2) which showed significant difference among the clones is given here from nine year old trees. The pod yield of individual trees was compiled for five years from fifth to ninth year of bearing. Pod characters such as individual pod weight (g), length (cm), breadth (cm), ridge and furrow thickness (cm), number of beans and wet weight of beans per pod were measured from five pods of each clone. Fermented and dried beans were observed for single bean dry weight, shelling percentage, nib recovery and fat content. Data were analysed using SAS program. Precocious bearers and promising high yielding clones were identified from their pod and bean yield with optimal canopy and desirable bean traits. After five years of stabilization, pod yield ranged from 15-43 among the clones with small to medium canopy of 8-13m2. Among the clones, pod size ranged from 200-400 g with 30-45 beans of 0.65-1.00 g dry bean weight. Only the beans with 1 g dry bean weight showed required percentage of shelling, recovery and fat contents. The clones, SCZ-1 and SCZ-20 yielded an average of >30 pods with 1 kg dry bean yield followed by POU-16A and TSH-516 which produced 25 pods with 0.9 kg dry bean yield per tree per year and were selected as potential clones. These clones which showed adaptability to the introduced environment and high bearing behaviour will be utilised in improvement and area expansion programs.