Phenological characterization of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) from pod setting to maturity using the Biologische
2017
Azogue, H.R. | Salazar, B.M. | Del Rosario, E.E. | Santos, P.J.A.
One caveat in the development of effective farm management strategies in tropical perennial crops like cacao is the thorough understanding of crop phenology. Studies on reproductive phenology of cacao in the Philippines, however, are lacking and such merits research attention. Hence, an experiment, laid out in completely randomized design, was conducted from 2015 to 2016 in Los Baños, Laguna [Philippines] to characterize the phonological development of three cacao clones (UF 667, a Trinitario cacao; SCA 6, a Forastero cacao; and Criollo) from pod setting to maturity using the BBCH scale. Newly-opened flowers were tagged and those which continue to cherelles were labeled accordingly for monitoring. Phenophase transition in developing pods was associated to absolute growth rate (AGR) and heat units (or growing days, GDD). Based on pod length measurements, all clones assumed the typical sigmoidal growth curve. Fruit setting (BBCH 70) was already apparent 7 days after anthesis (DAA). Cherelle emergence commenced the exponential phase of pod growth which lasted until 50% of final pod size (BBCH 75) was reached. This was followed by the linear growth phase which was completed when pods reached 90% of final size (BBCH 79). Maximum pod size (BBCH 80) was reached 125 DAA in UF 667, 154 DAA in SCA 6, and 155 DAA in Criollo, and pods were physiologically mature (BBCH 89) at 161 DAA, 163 DAA, and 182 DAA, respectively. AGR curves of all clones conformed to the bell-shaped pattern. Growth rates increased steadily after fruit set, peaked at around BBCH 77, and declined there after as the pods approached their maximum size. At pod development, highest GDD was accumulated during the early stages of growth (BBCH 71-73). Heat unit requirement from fruit setting to pod ripening in UF667, SC46, and Criollo were 2,752 GDD, 2768 GDD, and 3,137 GDD, respectively.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]