Cocoa Production Capacity (Theobroma cacao L.): A Study of Branch, Flower Cushion, and Pod Production

Abstract

Cocoa is an important global commodity and a source of income for millions of farmers in around the world. Nevertheless, yields is often still far from their potential. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between production space capacity and flower cushion status on pod production. The study was conducted at Kaliwining Experimental Station, Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute, Jember, at an altitude of 45 m above sea level (a climate type D according to the Schmidt & Ferguson classification) and flat topography. The cocoa plant originated from top grafting seedlings with the age of six years. Design of experiment was randomized as a complete block design (RCBD) single factor consisting of seven clones as treatment with three replications. Each plot consisted of five sample plants. The parameter was observed involve branching type, branch surface area, flower cushion distance, flower cushion density, number of flower cushions, number of pods per flower cushion, number of pods per tree, and pod characteristics include pod length, pod girth, and pod weight. The results showed that all cocoa clones had production capacity with an average 490-635 flower cushions spread across the entire branch surface. The increase of pod weight was significantly influenced by length, girth, number of pods per flower cushion, and flower cushion distance.