Phenological characterization of cacao (Theobroma cacao) from flowering to ripening using the BBCH scale

Date

6-2016

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Major Course

Major in Horticulture

College

College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Bong M. Salazar

Abstract

The study was conducted from August 2015 to April 2016 at the Crop Science Cluster, UP Los Baños to characterize the phenology of different cacao clones (UF 667, a Trinitario cacao SCA 6, a Forastero cacao and Criollo) from flowering to pod maturity using the BBCH scale. Regardless of the clone, measurements of pod dimension (length and diameter) revealed that cacao pods followed simple sigmoidal growth curve. Fruit setting (BBCH score 70) occurred 7 days after anthesis, DAA (BBCH score 69). Exponential phase of pod growth ended when fruits reached 50% (BBCH score 75) of final size, while the linear phase ended when fruits reached 90% (BBCH score 79) of final size. Maximum pod size (BBCH score 80) was reached 125 DAA by UF 667, which is 30 days ahead of SCA 6 and Criollo pods. Nevertheless, the period (~30 days) it took from BBCH score 80 to BBCH score 89 (fully ripe stage) was comparable in UF 667 and Criollo pods, compared to the abrupt color change in SCA 6 (i.e., 9 days). Pods of UF 667, SCA 6, and Criollo were harvested 161 DAA, 163 DAA, and 182 DAA respectively. The growing-degree days (GDD) amassed by UF 667, SCA 6, and Criollo from BBCH 70 to BBCH 89 were 2,752, 2,768, and 3,137 heat units respectively. Absolute growth rate (AGR) curves showed remarkable growth rates, extending up to BBCH 73, during the exponential phase, and maximum growth rates lasting until BBCH 77. Based on these results, it is recommended to split apply fertilizers when cacao pods have reached (1) BBCH 71 or 72, to lessen the incidence of cherelle wilt, and (2) BBCH 75, to support further development of cacao beans.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2016 A3 /A96

Document Type

Thesis

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS