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New developments in cocoa shade studies in Ghana
Author(s) -
Ver A. J.
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740180202
Subject(s) - microclimate , canopy , sunlight , shading , weed , environmental science , yield (engineering) , agroforestry , horticulture , agronomy , biology , ecology , art , physics , materials science , astronomy , metallurgy , visual arts
Attention is drawn to the lack of confirmation for the results of the Amelonado cocoa shade and manurial experiment, Tafo, K1. The shade of this experiment has recently been determined as reducing the illumination of the cocoa to about 30% ambient light intensity. A survey of local farms has shown their shade to be highly variable on average reducing illumination to about 40% ambient light. Results of another experiment, and recent yield trends of various unshaded plots at Tafo, are reported. They are in some disagreement with conclusions previously drawn from the results of Tafo K1 and with previous reports of establishing cocoa on clear‐felled land. It appears that the maintenance of a closed canopy is essential to the success of deshaded cocoa. Possible factors are reduction of insect attack, suppression of weed growth, preservation of soil structure, and provision of suitable microclimate. It is suggested that the use of herbicides may be a critical adjunct to the rehabilitation of unshaded cocoa whose canopy has become broken. Breeding programmes should consider variation in capacity to flourish in bright sunlight.