Propagation Of Cocoa Trees: Nursery Operations

May 21, 2023June 10, 2023 Agric4Profits

Cocoa is raised from seed. Seeds will germinate and produce good plants when taken from pods not more than 15 days under ripe.

Vegetative propagation can also be used to create clones. Vegetative propagation can be by cuttings, budding or marcotting.

i. Cuttings – Tree cuttings are taken with between two and five leaves and one or two buds. The leaves are cut in half and the cutting placed in a pot under polythene until roots begin to grow.

ii. Budding – A bud is cut from a tree and placed under a flap of bark on another tree. The budding patch is then bound with raffia, waxed tape of clear plastic to prevent moisture loss. When the bud is growing the old tree above it is cut down.

iii. Marcotting – A strip of bark is removed from a branch and the area covered in sawdust and a polythene sheet. The area will produce roots and the branch can then be chopped off and planted.

In vitro propagation is not generally used for cocoa, but research is taking place on the subject to find easier in vitro methods of producing clones. Adu-Ampomah et al managed to produce somatic embryoids from cotyledons and developed a method for their development into plantlets.

Somatic embryogenesis is a process by which somatic cells undergo bipolar development to give rise to genetically identical whole plants by means of the development of adventitious embryos that occur without the fusion of gametes.

The development of somatic embryogenesis systems of cocoa trees has opened a new avenue for vegetative propagation.

Scientists in a Penn State research programme funded by the American Cocoa Research Institute have been researching the method and a field test comparing in vitro cloned cocoa plants with seed grown and grafted plants is to take place at the Union Vale Estate on the island of Saint Lucia in the West Indies.

The ForBio Group of companies is researching the propagation of cocoa plants using tissue culture and/or robotic assisted micropropagation technology.

Cocoa Nursery Operations

The different practices involved in the preparation of the nursery include but not limited to the following operations;

All trees and shrubs should be removed. The sight must be levelled out.

A wire netted fence must be provided.

A fire trace of 3.5m should be constructed round the nursery.

Clear site of old materials.

Erecting the nurseryshed practice;

Cut poles of 3.1m (10ft) length.

Map out the site.

Erect poles to a depth of 0.7m (2ft.) with 2.45m (8ft) above the ground.

Erect poles at intervals of 3.1m such that each nursery block is 3.1m x 3.1m (10ft by 10ft).

Space between blocks should be 0.75 -85m (2ft -2 ⅔) wide. This space should serve as path between blocks.

Cover the shed at the top, and three sides, with the fourth side open.

Erecting platforms in nurserysheds;

Nursery beds can be on the ground or on raised platforms.

The beds serve as base for the polythene bags

Beds can be made from split bamboos.

The split bamboo should face downwards

Other materials like planks or wood can be used.

The polythene bags are arranged on the beds in rows and columns. It is best to arrange the polybags in rows of 5 bags (big size) or 10 bags (medium size) and length of your choice.

The row size is indicated so that effective watering of the seedlings in the bags can be done.

Erect cross bars at intervals of every 10 polybags for the side- support of the polybags.

Nursery beds should be erected across the slope of nursery site.

Filling the polybag;

Fill the pot to three-quarters full;

Set the pots on the nursery platform;

Water the bags heavily after filling with good soil.

Planting into the polybags;

Select the mature cocoa pod to use as planting material.

Open the cocoa pod, the damaged ones first.

Remove the seed from placenta attachment in the pod.

Plant the seed with the blunt end attached to the placenta downwards.

Water the polybags after planting the seeds.

*In estimating the number of pods needed to plant your nursery, remember that each cocoa pod contains an average of 30 seeds.

Propagation by other methods: Seeds – planting at stake

1. Cutting:

Gives uniform growth.

New plants do not grow tall.

Matures early.

New plant do not have tap root.

2. Budding – similar to cutting

3. Grafting – similar to cutting

Nursery Management

Label The Nursery– such a label should contain information on:

Type of seed
Date of sowing
No. Of seeds sown
Source of seeds

Water Management: Light and frequent watering is better. Too heavy water could encourage the growth of fungi, wastage of water, starvation before the next watering. Don’t allow leaves of seedlings to stick to the soil as such could encourage crocked seedlings.

Shade management: Seedlings should be trained to the conditions on the field hence hardening up is practiced. Reduce the shade level gradually at least two months to the transplanting date.

Disease control: If rainfall is heavy, fungus diseases and damping -off spread easily and fast. Spray with the appropriate chemical and encourage adequate air circulation.

Pest control: Check and control pest population. Use insecticides if necessary.