Growth and yield performance of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) varieties under Tamil Nadu condition

Abstract

Seven improved varieties of cocoa (CCRP 1, CCRP 2, CCRP 3, CCRP 4, CCRP 5, CCRP 6, CCRP 7) were planted during 2010 at Coconut Research Station, Aliyar Nagar, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu and their performance were evaluated for growth, yield and quality characters during 2016. The results indicated that there was significant difference among the varieties and CCRP 3 recorded the highest plant height (3.52 m), stem girth (25.01 cm) and total phenol (80.1 mg equivalent for pyrocatechol per gram) whereas CCRP 5 registered the highest number flowers per cushion (7.12), number of flower cushions per tree (79.29), No. of pods harvested per tree (28.14), pod weight (502.19 g) and single dry bean weight (1.02 g). With respect to quality parameters CCRP 5 recorded the highest fat content of 52.5 percent and total carbohydrate content of 24.6 percent.