Spacing and shade trials with cacao
West African trials have shown optimum yields at close spacing (7 1/2 ft. or less). In an observation plot at Keravat, cacao at 12-ft. triangle outyielded cacao at 15-ft. triangle up to 12 years of age. In a replicated trial with spacing from 12-ft. up to 24-ft. triangle, yield in the first year was highest at the closest spacing, and weed growth was much lower. It is recommended that 12-ft. spacing should be used in this Territory. Experiments in Trinidad and West Africa have shown that the level of shade affects habit and rate of growth, and that responses to fertilizer are greater in the absence of shade. In an observation plot at Keravat, removal of shade from cacao at maturity caused greatly increased yields at first, but yield later declined to less than that of shaded plots. The effect differed at different spacings. In another trial with four levels of shade, yield in the first two years increased linearly with decreasing shade. Nitrogen fertilizer has given response only in the absence of shade. Further information will be required before definite recommendations can be made.
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| Format: | biblioteca |
| Language: | eng |
| Published: |
1961
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| Subjects: | THEOBROMA CACAO, ESPACIAMIENTO, SOMBRA, RENDIMIENTO, PLANTULAS, ETAPAS DE DESARROLLO DE LA PLANTA, FOTOSINTESIS, ILUMINACION, FACTORES AMBIENTALES, LEGUMINOSAE, PLANTAS DE SOMBRA, HABITAT, ABONOS NITROGENADOS, MADUREZ, |
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| Summary: | West African trials have shown optimum yields at close spacing (7 1/2 ft. or less). In an observation plot at Keravat, cacao at 12-ft. triangle outyielded cacao at 15-ft. triangle up to 12 years of age. In a replicated trial with spacing from 12-ft. up to 24-ft. triangle, yield in the first year was highest at the closest spacing, and weed growth was much lower. It is recommended that 12-ft. spacing should be used in this Territory. Experiments in Trinidad and West Africa have shown that the level of shade affects habit and rate of growth, and that responses to fertilizer are greater in the absence of shade. In an observation plot at Keravat, removal of shade from cacao at maturity caused greatly increased yields at first, but yield later declined to less than that of shaded plots. The effect differed at different spacings. In another trial with four levels of shade, yield in the first two years increased linearly with decreasing shade. Nitrogen fertilizer has given response only in the absence of shade. Further information will be required before definite recommendations can be made. |
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