Using the WaNuLCAS model to simulate the effects of the density (100, 300, and 500 trees/ha) of shade tree planting on the performance of cocoa (density 1110), I planted the shade trees on zone 1 only and the remaining 2 zones (i.e zone 2 and zone 3) as there are only three allowable zones for agroforestry system with no crops (annual plants), were used for the cocoa plantings with densities 555 trees/ha per zone. Zone spacing was 3 m apart. With this arrangement, it offers me the opportunity to assess the shade trees effects on cocoa trees at varying distances to the shade trees. However, this arrangement has been criticised as not reflecting the real situation in the field. I need suggestions as to how best to adjust or arrange the shade trees and the cocoa trees within the 3 allowable zones in the WaNuLCAS model.
In Venezuela we have used por cocoa trees (3 m) for 1111 plant/ha, plantain tree (< 300 m of altitude or banana tree > 300 m) between cocoa trees as temporal shade. And forest tree (mahogany tree, cedar, Erytrina sp., etc) each 6 m for 256 trees/ha. Both plantain tree and forest tree planted before cocoa tree.
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