Potential pod production! and pod loss in cacao (Theobroma cacaoL.)

SummaryThe sequences of pod production and pod loss of various cultivars of cacao for a period of 12 months are presented.’ Physiological wilt and biotic damage accounted for up to 75% of all the cherelles lost per tree. Of these two factors, wilt caused by insects and diseases accounted for the greater part of the cherelle loss. Loss of mature pods due to biotic factors (insects, diseases and rodents) was found to be a factor of greater importance than cherelle wilt in the overall reduction of pod production. Suggestions are made for reducing the incidence of biotic damage to cacao pods and thus increasing yield.