Hi, I'm interested in tools use to predict the yield of cocoa farms.
It seem to me that little is known on cocoa productivity.
Pod production seems to be highly linked to rainfall.
The success of pollination and negative impacts of diseases also seem significant.
Do you think that simple parameters such as tree age, size, climate data (like rainfall and temperatures), soil properties (pH, nutrient content, CEC), etc. could be used to have a rough idea of the production of cocoa?
A significant factor which is very subjected to management; good farmer be able to get at least 60-100 pods per tree and not such a good farmer or not paying attention to cocoa crop might get 10-20 pods. Therefore, the solution to a chocolate crisis which we might face is not to grow more cocoa trees but to improve the way we manage the existing cocoa plantations.
Thank you for your answer Wael.
What about the factors promoting pod production?
I understand that only a small fraction of the flower are pollinated, and then diseases and pests will also reduce the number of pods. So improving pollination and reducing pest and disease pressure sound like a good strategy.
But what about the effects of soil and climate on tree growth and subsequent pod production?
Dear Thomas,
Growth and development of cacao are highly dependent on temperature, which mainly affects vegetative growth, flowering and fruit development. Soil flooding decreases leaf area, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rates in addition to inducing formation of lenticels and adventitious roots.
Yes, all these factors can affect pod production.
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