Shade Effects on Growth and Development of Cacao Following Two Years of Continuous Dry Season Irrigation

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe deployment of plantain shade and irrigation (5- and 10-day) intervals) for enhancing survival, field establishment, flowering and pod production of field-grown cacao seedlings in the dry season was investigated. The effects of dry season irrigation was profound on cacao growth, field establishment (over 90% seedling survival) and development, flowering and pod production. For the non-irrigated moderately shaded cacao, about 30% of the transplanted seedlings survived and the achievable percent survival from the various shade-irrigation combinations ranged from 47–90%. Open sun in combination with 5-day irrigation interval had best results in term of growth (root and shoot development and biomass accumulation) and establishment, flowering and pod production. Lower values of air and soil temperatures were obtained for combination of irrigation and shade regimes (dense and moderate) and higher soil moisture contents. The shade-irrigation combinations ameliorated microclimate and enhanced growth and development, seedling survival, root and shoot development, advanced flowering and promoted uniform fruiting/pod production and total bean yield. The effects of dry season irrigation at 5- or 10-day intervals was profound on cacao growth, field establishment (over 90% seedling survival), flowering and pod production. Irrigated unshaded (open sun) cacao had best results in term of growth (root and shoot development and biomass accumulation) and establishment, flowering and pod production. The achievable percent survival from the various shade-irrigation combinations ranged from 47–90%. The drip irrigation strategy adopted ameliorated dry season terminal drought (hydrothermal stresses) and promoted cacao growth, survival and flower/pod production.