Cacao Plants Research Articles

Prediction model for sap flow in cacao trees under different radiation intensities in the western Colombian Amazon

In this study, we measured diurnal patterns of sap flow (Vs) in cacao trees growing in three types of agroforestry systems (AFs) that differ in the incident solar radiation they receive. We modeled the relationship of Vs with several microclimatic characteristics of the AFs using mixed linear models. We characterized microclimatic variables that may have an effect on diurnal patterns of sap flow: air relative humidity, air temperature, photosynthetically active radiation and vapor pressure deficit. Overall, our model predicted the differences between cacao Vs in the three different AFs, with cacao plants with dense Musaceae plantation and high mean diurnal incident radiation (HPAR) displaying the highest differences compared to the other agroforestry arrangements. The model was also able to predict situations such as nocturnal transpiration in HPAR and inverse nocturnal sap flows indicative of hydraulic redistribution in the other AFs receiving less incident radiation. Overall, the model we present here can be a useful and cost-effective tool for predicting transpiration and water use in cacao trees, as well as for managing cacao agroforestry systems in the Amazon rainforest.

Inter-species functional compatibility of the Theobroma cacao and Arabidopsis FT orthologs: 90 million years of functional conservation of meristem identity genes

BackgroundIn angiosperms the transition to flowering is controlled by a complex set of interacting networks integrating a range of developmental, physiological, and environmental factors optimizing transition time for maximal reproductive efficiency. The molecular mechanisms comprising these networks have been partially characterized and include both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory pathways. Florigen, encoded by FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) orthologs, is a conserved central integrator of several flowering time regulatory pathways. To characterize the molecular mechanisms involved in controlling cacao flowering time, we have characterized a cacao candidate florigen gene, TcFLOWERING LOCUS T (TcFT). Understanding how this conserved flowering time regulator affects cacao plant’s transition to flowering could lead to strategies to accelerate cacao breeding.ResultsBLAST searches of cacao genome reference assemblies identified seven candidate members of the CENTRORADIALIS/TERMINAL FLOWER1/SELF PRUNING gene family including a single florigen candidate. cDNA encoding the predicted cacao florigen was cloned and functionally tested by transgenic genetic complementation in the Arabidopsis ft-10 mutant. Transgenic expression of the candidate TcFT cDNA in late flowering Arabidopsis ft-10 partially rescues the mutant to wild-type flowering time. Gene expression studies reveal that TcFT is spatially and temporally expressed in a manner similar to that found in Arabidopsis, specifically, TcFT mRNA is shown to be both developmentally and diurnally regulated in leaves and is most abundant in floral tissues. Finally, to test interspecies compatibility of florigens, we transformed cacao tissues with AtFT resulting in the remarkable formation of flowers in tissue culture. The morphology of these in vitro flowers is normal, and they produce pollen that germinates in vitro with high rates.ConclusionWe have identified the cacao CETS gene family, central to developmental regulation in angiosperms. The role of the cacao’s single FT-like gene (TcFT) as a general regulator of determinate growth in cacao was demonstrated by functional complementation of Arabidopsis ft-10 late-flowering mutant and through gene expression analysis. In addition, overexpression of AtFT in cacao resulted in precocious flowering in cacao tissue culture demonstrating the highly conserved function of FT and the mechanisms controlling flowering in cacao.

Cadmium in soil and cacao beans of Peruvian and South American origin

Cadmium tends to bioaccumulate in different parts of cacao plant and its consumption can lead to serious health complications; due to this, the European Union (EU) established limits for tolerable concentrations of cadmium in cacao products as a preventive measure, which took effect as of January 2019. In South America and Peru, a sustained growth in cacao production has been recorded over the last 10 years, but scientific studies reveal that in some areas the cadmium levels of the soil and cacao beans exceed those established by the EU, thus, jeopardizing marketing and export possibilities to the EU. With this in mind, the purpose of this review was to compile information on the cadmium that is available in the soil, its accumulation in cacao beans, and the advances in treatment technologies; as well as to analyze the potential effects this has on cacao exports of South American origin, using Peru as a case analysis.

Aktivitas ANtibakteri Fraksi Daun Kakao (Theobroma cacao L.) terhadap Bakteri Staphylococcus aureus Secara In Vitro

Cacao are a plantation commodity in Indonesia. Most of the cacao plant is cacao leaves. One of the utilization of cacao leaves by the community is as compost, but has not been utilized by the community as a raw material of traditional medicine. Based on research, cacao leaves contain secondary metabolite compounds that can be used as an antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that often cause infection in humans. The purpose of this study was to find out the activity of ethanol fraction, dichloromethane, and n-hexane from cacao leaf extract as an antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. This study used extraction methods of maceration and fractionation using ethanol solvents, dichloromethane, and n-hexane. Test the antibacterial activity of cacao leaf fraction using disc diffusion method with a concentration series of 10%, 20%, and 30%. The results showed that ethanol and dichloromethane fractions had antibacterial activity.

Individual-based analysis of interactions between plants: A statistical modelling approach applied to banana and cacao in heterogeneous multistrata agroecosystems in Talamanca, Costa Rica

Understanding how the spatial organization of diversified plant communities alters their performance is an important step in designing and managing diversified agroecosystems. The high level of spatial heterogeneity in tropical agroforests makes this task challenging. In 19 agroforestry plots in Talamanca (Costa Rica), we analyzed the effect of the structure of the plant community in the neighborhood of each individual cacao tree and banana plant on their growth and yield parameters. We developed an individual-based analysis in two steps. First, we selected without a priori the distance at which the number of neighboring plants of a given functional group (banana plants, cacao trees, fruit trees, or wood trees) best explained the proportion of attainable yield (PAY) of cacao and banana plants. In a second step, we tested the significance of the abundances of the four groups of plants in a complete model that predicted the PAY of banana and cacao plants. The abundance of neighboring plants did not increase banana PAY except in the case of other banana plants, suggesting that banana plants yield better when aggregated. All other groups of plants tended to reduce both banana and cacao PAY. In the case of wood trees, these trends were not significant. Interestingly, our results suggests that it is possible to associate banana plants and cocoa trees to moderate densities of other plants without reducing their yield. The two complete linear models predicted about 60 % of the variance of the average response of the PAY to the neighboring plant assemblage. We suggest that in the future, it would be important to differentiate processes (resources partitioning, pest and diseases) inside our statistical approach. While requiring much more data, it could be useful to address the effect of cultural practices.

Reference values and diagnostic ranges to assess the degree of nutritional balance for cacao plants

Aim of study: The interpretation of results of leaf analysis can be performed by nutritional balance methods, such as Kenworthy method (KW) and diagnostic levels of contents, whose achievements for cacao constitute the main objective of this work.Area of study: Bahia, Brazil.Material and methods: The database covered cacao trees in two cultivation systems: agroforestry systems and full sun. The reference populations were composed of plots with relative yield higher than the average plus half a standard deviation of each of these cultivation systems, in addition to a combined population of both systems.Main results: The norms of the KW method were compared by the t test, for mean, with 72% concordance; and F, for variance, 82% concordant. The diagnoses made based on specific norms per cultivation system and the general norm agreed on average of 91%. Potential response curves were obtained as a function of the Balanced Indices of Kenworthy (BIK) for each nutrient, by the boundary-line method, in addition to sufficiency ranges for BIK and for leaf contents for cacao.Research highlights: It is concluded that the general KW norms associated with the original Kenworthy ranges or the specific ranges for cacao are efficient in the nutritional diagnosis of cacao.

Identification and distribution of novel badnaviral sequences integrated in the genome of cacao (Theobroma cacao)

Theobroma cacao is one of the most economically important tropical trees, being the source of chocolate. As part of an ongoing study to understand the diversity of the badnavirus complex, responsible for the cacao swollen shoot virus disease in West Africa, evidence was found recently of virus-like sequences in asymptomatic cacao plants. The present study exploited the wealth of genomic resources in this crop, and combined bioinformatic, molecular, and genetic approaches to report for the first time the presence of integrated badnaviral sequences in most of the cacao genetic groups. These sequences, which we propose to name eTcBV for endogenous T. cacao bacilliform virus, varied in type with each predominating in a specific genetic group. A diagnostic multiplex PCR method was developed to identify the homozygous or hemizygous condition of one specific insert, which was inherited as a single Mendelian trait. These data suggest that these integration events occurred before or during the species diversification in Central and South America, and prior to its cultivation in other regions. Such evidence of integrated sequences is relevant to the management of cacao quarantine facilities and may also aid novel methods to reduce the impact of such viruses in this crop.

Developing in vitro selection methods to high temperature stress in pruacan and cacao

Increasing in the earth’s surface temperature due to global warming threatens the survival of plants in the sub-tropics and in the tropics areas. Looking for plant varieties that can adapt to the threat of global warming impacts is very important at this time. The availability of effective and efficient selection methods are needed to get it. This study aimed to develop an in vitro selection method for resistance to high temperature stress in two tropical plants: Pruacan (Pimpinella pruatjan Molk.) and Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.). The in vitro selection methods were developed by testing the embryogenic culture of pruacan and cacao somatic embryos development under various temperature incubations. The two plants showed a different level of tolerance to high-temperature stress. Temperatures of 35 °C for two months did not cause the death of cacao somatic embryos, but the temperature of 32 °C for 2 and 3 months had caused the death of pruacan somatic embryos by 80 and 90%, respectively. The 100% death of cacao somatic embryos occurred at 40 °C and 45 °C on days 16 and 5 of incubation, respectively. The in vitro selection for high-temperature stress in pruacan and cacao plants were at 32 °C and between 40-45 °C respectively. Developing in vitro selection methods in plant species is needed to face the challenges of climate change in the future.

Effect of soil characteristics on cadmium absorption and plant growth of Theobroma cacao L. seedlings

Cadmium uptake by cacao plants can affect plant growth, consumer health and commercialisation. To develop mitigation strategies, it is essential to identify the soil characteristics that could influence this absorption. To determine the relationships between cadmium absorption and the soil characteristics of cacao areas, the responses at concentrations of 0, 2, 5, 10 and 20 μg g-1 of cadmium in three soils of these areas and an andisol were evaluated, using 120-day-old seedlings of four cultivars of Theobroma cacao L. In the present study, several relationships were found between chemical and physical soil characteristics and available cadmium, such as real and bulk densities, as well as contents of iron, sand, magnesium, potassium, sodium and copper. Additionally, moderate to strong correlations between potassium (r2 =-0.56) and real density (r2 =0.42), with foliar cadmium, were found. Moreover, a differential deleterious effect on cacao growth in variables such as biomass was corroborated in cadmium concentrations from 5μg g-1 in soils. There were no statistical differences between cultivars with respect to cadmium uptake or plant growth. Finally, a multiple linear regression model is proposed to estimate the foliar cadmium content (r2 =0.878). Some soil characteristics such as density, as well as sand, clay, aluminium, potassium and iron contents, should be considered before establishing cacao crops to avoid cadmium accumulation. The correlation between potassium with foliar cadmium indicated that potassium could be significant in cadmium uptake mitigation strategies. The high correlation between available cadmium and foliar cadmium indicates that the quantification methodology developed using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid extractant may be a useful diagnostic tool. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Evaluation of mild strain cross protection in cacao – further evidence of the protective potential of cacao swollen shoot virus strain N1 against the New Juabeng (1A) isolate under field conditions

The yield, canopy status and cocoa swollen shoot virus disease (CSSVD) symptom severity were assessed in cacao trees in a long-term field experiment originally established to study cacao swollen shoot virus strain 1A (CSSV-1A) epidemics in plots inoculated with the mild strain CSSV-N1. Yield of cacao was 73.7% and 32.1% lower in cacao plants inoculated with CSSV-1A and the non-inoculated respectively, when compared with cacao plants inoculated with CSSV-N1. CSSVD severity and canopy cover of cacao plants were significantly (P < 0.0001) affected by varying the number of inner rows inoculated with CSSV-N1 as well as individual CSSV strains. The treatments in which all the test cacao trees or first five inner rows received mild strain cross protection (T4 and T1) had the best canopy and lowest disease severity. Trees with CSSV-N1 protection had better canopy and lower CSSVD severity in comparison with the non-inoculated and CSSV-1A inoculated trees. DNA fingerprinting analysis indicated that genetic make-up of the planting material does not appear to contribute significantly to variation in disease severity or canopy status. Significant relationships were established between some soil parameters and CSSVD symptom severity (organic carbon, phosphorus, calcium, nitrogen, magnesium) as well as canopy status (phosphorus, potassium, magnesium).

Micro-Climate Conditions, Weed Diversity, Flowering and Yield of Young Cacao Plants as Affected by Shade Regimes

Experiments were conducted in 2015/2018 in two cacao plots established in 2012 and 2013 in Akure, Nigeria to investigate micro-climate conditions, weed densities, flowering and yield of cacao as affected by shade regimes. Established cacao plots under three plantain (Musa spp) shade regimes consisting of No-shade, Moderate and Dense shade were used. Air and soil temperature, relative humidity and Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR), weed population and species diversity, cacao flowering and pod production were measured. From the results, air and soil temperature measurements under No-shade plots had a significantly higher mean values (32°C) and soil (28°C) compared with moderately shaded [air, 30°C and soil, 26.5°C] and densely shaded [air, 30°C and soil, 26°C] plots in2015 and 2016 measurements but under 2017 measurements, no significant difference in the soil temperature of the plots under dense shade, moderate and the no-shade which were ascribed to canopy close-up of the cacao that led to reduced transmitted light through the canopy to the understories species. The vigour of weeds under no-shade plots were significantly higher compared with dense and moderately shaded plots. In 2013 established cacao plot, flower production was higher significantly in no-shade compared with those in moderate and dense shaded cacao plots in 2015 and 2016 measurement. Pod production under No-shade were significantly higher compared with other treatments in 2016 and 2017. Cherelle wilt rate was higher in shaded plots compared with the no-shade plots. Pod yield parameters were significantly higher under No-shade plots compared with shaded treatments during the three years of data measurement. Air temperature between 30°C to 33.7°C during flowering and fruit/pod setting was found to have positive influence on bean yield in cacao. The study concluded that excessive shade decreases yield of cocoa, while increases in temperature and relative humidity boosts some physiological processes for pod production in Cocoa

Micro-Climate Conditions, Weed Diversity, Flowering and Yield of Young Cacao Plants as Affected by Shade Regimes

Experiments were conducted in 2015/2018 in two cacao plots established in 2012 and 2013 in Akure, Nigeria to investigate micro-climate conditions, weed densities, flowering and yield of cacao as affected by shade regimes. Established cacao plots under three plantain (Musa spp) shade regimes consisting of No-shade, Moderate and Dense shade were used. Air and soil temperature, relative humidity and Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR), weed population and species diversity, cacao flowering and pod production were measured. From the results, air and soil temperature measurements under No-shade plots had a significantly higher mean values (32°C) and soil (28°C) compared with moderately shaded [air, 30°C and soil, 26.5°C] and densely shaded [air, 30°C and soil, 26°C] plots in2015 and 2016 measurements but under 2017 measurements, no significant difference in the soil temperature of the plots under dense shade, moderate and the no-shade which were ascribed to canopy close-up of the cacao that led to reduced transmitted light through the canopy to the understories species. The vigour of weeds under no-shade plots were significantly higher compared with dense and moderately shaded plots. In 2013 established cacao plot, flower production was higher significantly in no-shade compared with those in moderate and dense shaded cacao plots in 2015 and 2016 measurement. Pod production under No-shade were significantly higher compared with other treatments in 2016 and 2017. Cherelle wilt rate was higher in shaded plots compared with the no-shade plots. Pod yield parameters were significantly higher under No-shade plots compared with shaded treatments during the three years of data measurement. Air temperature between 30°C to 33.7°C during flowering and fruit/pod setting was found to have positive influence on bean yield in cacao. The study concluded that excessive shade decreases yield of cocoa, while increases in temperature and relative humidity boosts some physiological processes for pod production in Cocoa

Synthesis of TiO2-Ag composite through ultrasonic batch cleaning technique as a candidate for antifungal agent Phytophthora palmivora

In this work, TiO2-Ag composites have been synthesized through the Ultrasonic Batch Cleaning technique and applied as an antifungal candidate against Phytophthora palmivora. P. palmivora is a pod rot fungus on cacao plants. Physically, the successful synthesis of TiO2-Ag has been characterized by a change in the color of the precipitate from white to grey. This success was confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis, where the presence of Ag+ ions made the TiO2 surface more regular. The Ag+ ion was evenly distributed on the TiO2 surface and covers the large TiO2 particles. The results of EDX analysis have shown that the % composition of TiO2-Ag was 93.22%, each consisting of Ti of 50.37%, O of 37.57%, and Ag of 5.25%. Based on the antifungal activity test, TiO2-Ag has good antifungal activity against P. palmivora. The minimum inhibitory level occurred at a concentration of 2.50%, while the minimum lethal rate occurred at a concentration of 4.88%.

Shade tree species affect gas exchange and hydraulic conductivity of cacao cultivars in an agroforestry system.

Shade tolerance is a widespread strategy of rainforest understory plants. Many understory species have green young stems that may assimilate CO2 and contribute to whole-plant carbon balance. Cacao commonly grows in the shaded understory and recent emphasis has been placed on diversifying the types of trees used to shade cacao plants to achieve additional ecosystem services. We studied three agricultural cacao cultivars growing in the shade of four timber species (Cedrela odorata L., Cordia thaisiana Agostini, Swietenia macrophylla King and Tabebuia rosea (Bertol) A.D.C.) in an agroforestry system to (i) evaluate the timber species for their effect on the physiological performance of three cacao cultivars; (ii) assess the role of green stems on the carbon economy of cacao; and (iii) examine coordination between stem hydraulic conductivity and stem photosynthesis in cacao. Green young stem photosynthetic CO2 assimilation rate was positive and double leaf CO2 assimilation rate, indicating a positive contribution of green stems to the carbon economy of cacao; however, green stem area is smaller than leaf area and its relative contribution is low. Timber species showed a significant effect on leaf gas exchange traits and on stomatal conductance of cacao, and stem water-use efficiency varied among cultivars. There were no significant differences in leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity among cacao cultivars, but sapwood-specific hydraulic conductivity varied significantly among cultivars and there was an interactive effect of cacao cultivar × timber species. Hydraulic efficiency was coordinated with stem-stomatal conductance, but not with leaf-stomatal conductance or any measure of photosynthesis. We conclude that different shade regimes determined by timber species and the interaction with cacao cultivar had an important effect on most of the physiological traits and growth variables of three cacao cultivars growing in an agroforestry system. Results suggested that C. odorata is the best timber species to provide partial shade for cacao cultivars in the Barlovento region in Venezuela, regardless of cultivar origin.

Cacao – Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Association: A Review on Its Increased Potential in Improving the Ecology of Cacao Plantations in the Philippines

Cacao (Theobroma cacao) is both an economically and ecologically important crop worldwide especially in the Philippines, a tropical country suitable for its growth and cultivation. The association of this crop with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is an understudied field but the benefits reported from this symbiosis highlights their irreplaceable role in enhancing growth conditions by facilitating the uptake of phosphorus, increasing yield through increased plant health and productivity, and in several ecological aspects such as soil biological dynamics and ecological processes that are carried out in cacao plant community. This paper proposed the different areas of improving cacao ecology that need to gain attention in the Philippines to augment the measures being undertaken to boost the country’s cacao plantations. This includes more research on areas of soil physicochemical properties, AMF genetic and functional diversity in cacao communities, and resistance to diseases of AMF-associated cacao trees. The ecology of the AMF-cacao association is an essential part of developing effective AMF inocula for the ultimate purpose of increasing the yield of cacao. Appropriate application of AMF could increase the overall yield of the country’s cacao plantations and can be translated to improving food security and many other economic gains.

A new method for the inoculation of Phytophthora palmivora (Butler) into cacao seedlings under greenhouse conditions

BackgroundThe black pod disease affects cacao plantations worldwide; it is caused by the oomycete species of the genus Phytophthora. The resistance of cacao plants to the black pod is commonly evaluated by artificial inoculation of the pathogen and the monitoring of the disease symptoms. However, it is difficult to identify resistant plants because the commonly used methods for the inoculation of the pathogens produce inconsistent results. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an efficient and reliable method to evaluate the resistance of Theobroma cacao seedlings to the infection by Phytophthora palmivora.ResultsSeedlings of different cacao genotypes were inoculated with P. palmivora under greenhouse conditions using the previously reported inoculation methods and a newly proposed method, the agar–water solution method. While none of the previously reported methods was effective, the agar–water solution method ensured a 100% seedling infection under greenhouse conditions. The proposed agar–water methodology is fast, simple and reproducible. Furthermore, the evaluation of this method in susceptible (CCN-51) and tolerant (SCA-6) T. cacao genotypes produced the expected contrasting results.ConclusionsThe agar–water solution method presented in this study is an efficient alternative inoculation protocol for the identification of cacao genotypes that are resistant to black pod under greenhouse conditions.

Isolation, Screening and Identification of Plant Growth-Promoting Endophytic Bacteria from Theobroma cacao

Cacao (Theobrama cacao) is one of the main plantation commodities in Indonesia which has an important role for the national economy. The low productivity of cacao plants in Indonesia is due to the condition of old plants, pests and diseases attacks which affect the quality of the fruit and decrease the plant’s productivity. The objective of this study was to isolate and identify of endophytic bacteria from stem, flower, leaf and fruit of T. cacao by using 16S rRNA gene as genetic marker. Twenty seven endophytic bacterial isolates were collected from local plantation in Yogyakarta area. From this study, 8 endophytic bacterial strains exhibited the higher PGP traits. The isolates produced Indole Acetic Acid level by 0.3 to 5.21 ppm/hour. All of isolates had nitrogen fixation activity but have not phosphate solubilization activity. Among them, isolates CSDT 4 and CGKBH 4 showed promising potential as PGP bacteria. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences, those bacterial strains were identified as Brevibacillus brevis (CSDT 4) and Pantoea sp. (CGKBH 4). We propose that the B. brevis and Pantoea sp. which is reported for the first time for their PGP potential in cacao, exerts its beneficial effects on cacao crop through combined of activities. The potential PGP bacteria from the Cacao plant was used to make a specific bio-fertilizer formula for the Cacao plant, because of the different needs and condition that every plant requires.

Potensi dan Karakterisasi Fisiologis Bakteri Endofit Asal Tanaman Kakao Sehat sebagai Pemacu Pertumbuhan Benih Kakao

This study aimed to obtain endophytic bacterial isolates originated from healthy cacao plant, potential for plant-growth promoting of cacao seedlings. This study was carried out in the Phytopathology Laboratory Unit of the Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Halu Oleo University. This study was conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD) using ten isolates of endophytic bacteria from healthy cocoa plants as treatments, plus a control treatment. The experiment was conducted in a screenhouse using seed treatment and planted in seedling boxes, containing sterile rice-husk charcoal as a growing medium. The result showed that three endophytic bacteria tested (isolates 2RPR1, 2RWB2, and 5BRB3) were potential as plant growth-promoting of cocoa seedlings, because the isolates were able to increase seed germination up to 96.67%, relative growth rate up to 90-96.67%, increased plant height up to 47.85-67.17%, root dry weight up to 35.08-52.63%, and canopy dry weight up to 97.71-108.46%. The superiority of the three isolates were related to their abilities to fix nitrogen, dissolve phosphate, as well as to produce indole acetic acid. Keywords: cacao, endophytic bacteria, plant growth-promoting agent, seed viability

Changes in the Composition of Methylxanthines, Polyphenols, and Volatiles and Sensory Profiles of Cocoa Beans from the Sul 1 Genotype Affected by Fermentation.

The Sul 1 cacao (Theobroma cacao) genotype has become more popular among cocoa producers due to its resistance toward vascular streak dieback, a devastating dieback disease in cacao plants. Sul 1 cocoa beans were subjected to prolonged fermentation of 10 days (240 h). Changes in the composition of methylxanthines, polyphenols, and volatiles and sensory profiles of the cocoa beans as affected by fermentation were analyzed. The first 48 h of fermentation significantly determined the composition of the methylxanthines and polyphenols in the cocoa beans. A prolonged fermentation (>96 h) period did not further reduce the contents of methylxanthines and polyphenols in the cocoa beans. Important volatiles characteristic of the cocoa/chocolate flavor were mostly developed after 48 h of fermentation. The fermentation for 72 h retained considerable amounts of methylxanthines and polyphenols in the beans while producing cocoa mass with good sensory profiles.

PENGGUNAAN METODE SAMBUNG SAMPING PADA BEBERAPA KLON KAKAO (Theobroma cacao L.) SEBAGAI SUMBER BAHAN TANAM

Side grafting technology, side grafting is a cocoa plant improvement technique that is done by inserting the stem of superior clones. This study aims to determine the effect of Janis entries on the side grafting growth of cocoa plants and the types of good entries in the growth of side grafting cacao plant.The plan used in this study was a randomized block design (RBD) with treatments used were local clone actress (E1), superior clone actress ICCRI 03 (E2), superior clone actress ICCRI 04 (E3), Sulawesi superior clone 01 (E4) ), Superior actress of Sulawesi Clone 02 (E5). The observational variables in this study were the percentage of survival, total plant leaves, plant area. The results of the study aimed that the treatment of superior clone entries had an effect on the observed variables of survival rates, total number of leaves of plants, leaf area. The type of entris that gives the best effect on the side grafting growth of cacao plant seeds is the superior Sulawesi clone actress 02.