PRODUCTION OF SUPERIOR PLANTING MATERIALS IN COCOA
Cocoa can be propagated through seeds as well as by vegetative means. The grower can decide the type of planting material considering the merits and demerits of both methods.
SEED PROPAGATION
On account of the right plant architecture, ease of management, low cost, and higher degree of resistance to stresses, seed propagation is preferred
COLLECTION OF SEED PODS
Seed pods are to be collected from biclonal or polyclonal seed gardens. Desired plants are planted in gardens and open pollination is encouraged. Seeds collected from these plants will be F1 hybrids which are commercialized to farmers. Such polyclonal and biclonal gardens have been established at the Cadbury- KAU Co-operative Cocoa Research Project (CCRP), Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara.
STORAGE OF SEEDS
The seeds of cocoa are non-dormant and lose viability quickly within seven days. If this period is longer than seven days, a serious drop in viability can be observed.
SHADE IN NURSERY
The nursery is to be located in a heavily shaded area, which allows only about 50 percent sunlight.
VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION
Apart from seed propagation, other methods of propagation are:
- Budding
- Rooted cuttings
- Grafting
AGROTECHNIQUES.
WEED CONTROL
Under intercropping situations, weeding is done two to three times a year.
SHADE FOR COCOA
Cocoa is a plant that has originated under shade and has been traditionally cultivated under shade.
IRRIGATION
Any of the methods of irrigation viz. check basin, sprinkler, drip may be adopted depending upon the availability of water
MAINTENANCE OF COCOA PLANTS
- Training and pruning are done on plants at regular intervals to ensure uniform height so that harvest can be convenient to and unnecessary growth of foliage to improve pod growth.
- Top working is useful to rejuvenate old and unproductive cocoa plants and also to convert genetically poor yielders to high yielders
