CacaoFIT the network of cacao field trials in Latin America and its contribution to sustainable cacao farming in the region

A network of agronomists, researchers, and practitioners associated with cacao farming provided open access to their independent field trials across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). A centralized dataset was assembled using qualitative and quantitative data from 25 experimental field trials (hereafter referred to as CacaoFIT) spanning several LAC agroecosystems. This dataset was used to document the main traits and agroclimatic attributes of the cacao cultivation model being tested within the CacaoFIT network. By synthesizing data from an entire network of cacao trials, this study aimed to highlight specific design features and management practices that may contribute to better cacao farming sustainability. The CacaoFIT network comprises 200 ha of field trials testing over 150 cacao genotypes and set up under different shade canopy design, management, and research goals. Small-sized trials were common across Mesoamerica, whereas medium to large-size trials were distinct to South America. Cacao trials were 15 years old (on average) and ranged from 3 to 25 years of establishment. Most cacao trials were managed conventionally (i.e., 55%), while 20% were under organic practices, and the remaining 25% presented both conventional and organic management approaches. Most field trials (ca. 60%) planted an average of 10 international clones or national cultivars at high (1,230–1,500 plants ha−¹) and medium density (833–1,111 plants ha−¹). Mixed shade canopies were the dominant agroforestry model, while timber vs. leguminous shade canopies were also common. The diversity and depth of research domains examined across the CacaoFIT network varied widely. Agronomy and agroforestry topics dominated the research agenda across all trials, followed by environmental services domains. Cacao physiology and financial performance were researched to a lesser extent within the network. Five featured field trials from CacaoFIT offered technical guidelines to inform cacao farming within similar contexts. This collaborative work is a scaffold to encourage public–private partnerships, capacity building, and data sharing amongst cacao researchers across the tropics.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Orozco Aguilar, Luis autor, López Sampson, Arlene autora, Cerda, Rolando H. autor, Casanoves, Fernando autor 12746, Ramírez Argueta, Oscar autor, Díaz Matute, Javier autor, Suárez Salazar, Juan Carlos autor, Rüegg, Johanna autora, Saj, Stephane autora, Milz, Joaquin autor, Schneidewind, Ulf autor/a, Mora Garces, Argenis autor, Baez Daza, Eliana autora, Rojas Molina, Jairo autor, Jaimes Suarez, Yeirme autora, Agudelo Castañeda, Genaro A. autor, Deheuvels, Olivier autor, Brito Sosa, Enelvi autor, Hinojosa Gómez, Jaime autor, Jaimez, Ramon E. autor, Reyes Espinoza, Sophya autora, Bordeaux, Melanie autora, Caicedo Vargas, Carlos autor, Tinoco, Leider autor, Peña Monserrate, Geover autor, Pérez Flores, Julian autor, Azpeitia Morales, Alfonso autor, Arevalo Hernández, Cesar O. autor, Arevalo Gardini, Enrique autor, Pocasangre, Luis E. autor, Araque, Osmary autora, Koutouleas, Athina autora, Segura Magaña, Eufemia autora, Domínguez, Omar autor, Arenas, Paula autora, Soto Pinto, Lorena 1958- Doctora autora 5454, Salgado Mora, Marisela Guadalupe Doctora autora 15217, Gama Rodrigues, Antonio autor, Gama Rodrigues, Emanuela autora, Holder, Annelle autora, Ramtahal, Gideon autor, Umaharan, Pathmanathan autor, Muller, Manfred Willy autor, Texeira Mendes, Fernando autor, Somarriba, Eduardo autor
Format:	Texto biblioteca
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Theobroma cacao, Agroforestería,
Online Access:	https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1370275
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