Aspects of Agronomy for Improving Cocoa Productivity in the Caribbean Kamaldeo Maharaj and Davinan Ramnath Ministry of

1. Aspects of Agronomy for Improving Cocoa Productivity in the Caribbean Kamaldeo Maharaj and Davinan Ramnath Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs Research Division

2. Caribbean Cocoa Production

3. Objectives To review and conduct a diagnosis of cocoa productivity status To propose some agronomic measures for improving productivity

4. Reasons for past historic high yields New plantations Established in areas of cleared forest Emphasis on using Class 1 and 2 cocoa soils Lower disease innoculum Resources

5. Current Diagnosis Smaller Caribbean Islands Low per area and tree productivity Low national output

6. Yield Diagnosis Area Basis: Misleading Incomplete Example: Area 10ac @ 10 x 10 ft = 4300 trees Reality: <3000 trees Empty gaps Missing trees Other crops Area occupied by roads, buildings etc.

7. Focus on the number of trees Individual cocoa trees: Total count Age Genetics Productive or not Example: Grower X has 1500 cocoa trees - 900 trees are over 40 yrs. ; ICS varieties, 495 trees are poor bearers - 600 trees are between 5 to 10 yrs., all TSH seedlings, 85 trees are low bearing

8. Observations of F.J Pound (1940) The free draining loams of Northern and Central Ranges, Trinidad, well supplied with P and K proved to carry cocoa to 50yrs. and over The heavy impervious clays of Talparo, Cumoto will do 20 to 30 yrs. The calcareous zones between the above two areas will also carry for 20 to 30 yrs. IMPLICATIONS OF THE ABOVE !!!

11. Yield Gap(YG) in Cocoa (kg/ha) Potential Yield (TSH) 2000 Potential Yield (ICS) 900 Intensive farms 600-1200 Typical small/med 150-400

12. To rehabilitate or to replant?

13. Getting the Genetics right at the field level……. Superior improved varieties: good yield efficiency Clonal trees (Grafted and rooted cuttings) Seedling trees produced from seed gardens egs TSH 1102 x TSH 1095 Higher ratio of self compatible: incompatible

14. Improving cocoa pollination Done by pollinating midges (Forcipomya spp.) Life cycle: 28 days; 15 days in water (eggs and larvae) Create field conditions for multiplication of midges: - Leaf litter layer - Banana pseudo stems - Harvested pod shells

15. Keeping trees in good condition…. Pruning - Single trunk - Under 15 ft - Canopy developed from 3 – 4 main branches - Annual

17. Other very important practices……. Fertilising Shade management Field Sanitation