Experimental Agriculture

Table of Contents - 1996 - Volume 32, Issue 01  

Research Article

Yields of Cocoa Clones in Response to Planting Density in Malaysia

G. Lockwooda1 and Joe Pang Thau Yina2

a1 Commonwealth Development Corporation, One Bessborough Gardens, London SWIV 2JQ.

a2 BAL Plantations Sdn Bhd, PO Box 135, 91007 Tawau, Sabah Malaysia

SUMMARY

Ninety five cocoa clones were tested in Sabah, Malaysia at planting densities of 1096 and 3333 plants ha−1. Analysis of dry bean yields up to 60 months after planting showed that vigorous clones performed better at the lower planting density, some clones of intermediate vigour performed well at both planting densities and some weak clones performed well at high planting density. The conclusion that optimal planting densities are highly variable has significant implications for procedures in clone selection and suggests that the relation between the yield of a clone and its general combining ability will become clearer once planting density is taken into account.

(Accepted March 20 1995)