Pollination, pod set and compatibility studies in open pollinated progenies of cocoa var. Forastero

Abstract

Investigations were carried out at the College of Horticulture Vellanikkara, Thrissur, to study the polination , pod set and compatibility aspects of open pollinated progenies of cocoa, var. Forastero. It was found that eventhough cocoa flowered thoughout the year, maximum flower production was between November and April. The flower opening was a slow process starting from 2 to 4 pm and lasting upto 2 to 4 pm on the subsequent day . Maximum stigma receptivity was found between 10 am and 12 Noon. Natural pollination was through the agency of insects. By controlled pollination there was 48 per cent increase in the pod set. Hand pollination by forceps was found to be the best method of artificial pollination. A large number of pod set was not carried to maturity due to the incidence of cherelle wilt. The loss due to Cherelle wilt ranged from 37.04 percent to 70.37 per cent. Most of the trees studied were self-incompatible , while two of them were self compatible. The self - incompatibility in the materials investigated herein could be exploited for production of hybrid pods.