Comparative study on clonal and seedling progenies of selected cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) genotypes

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is grown as a component crop in palm-based cropping systems in South India. Systematic seed gardens were established for hybrid seed production in a limited scale and clonal propagation methods were standardized in cocoa. Since the area expansion programmes require more planting material in a short span with easy management, this attempt was made to assess and compare the performance of selective genotypes, i.e. clones and seedlings. The clones exhibited sufficient vigour, larger canopy, lower branching and early bearing nature. Yield compiled over six years showed that VTLC-5, VTLC-1 and VTLCC-1 had more pods both as clone and seedling. Eight clones recorded > 45 pods/tree/year, > 40 beans/pod and high dry bean yields ranged from 1.54 to 2.08 kg at the age of tenth year and seven seedlings recorded > 40 pods/tree/year with > 35 beans/pod and dry bean yields ranged from 1.57 to 1.88 kg. It was suggested that, to get early, uniform and high yield, clonal plants are preferable, but it requires systematic training and pruning in the initial years of growth to maintain optimal canopy. From the average dry bean yield of clones and seedlings, it was suggested that the genotypes VTLCH-3, VTLCH-4, VTLCH-2 and VTLCH-1 may also be utilized for seedling production. All these high yielding genotypes had single dry bean weight of one gram and above; and favourable shelling percentage, nib recovery and fat contents making them suitable for chocolate industry as well.