On-farm cocoa yields increase with canopy cover of shade trees in two agro-ecological zones in Ghana

Article purchased; Published online: 05 April 2018Despite Ghana’s large contribution to global cocoa production, average yields are low. Policymakers and practitioners are calling for implementation of a climate smart strategy by increasing yields and augmenting shade tree cover in cocoa systems. However, there have been few studies in West Africa on the relationship between shade and cocoa yield under field conditions. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of shade tree cover and other factors on on-farm cocoa yields over a four-year period. The study was conducted on 86 farm plots of 8–28 years’ cocoa trees with varied canopy cover (CC) in Ashanti and Western regions of Ghana. A linear mixed model analysis showed that yields increased significantly with increased CC of shade trees, and indicated a doubling of yields when going from zero to approximately 30% crown cover. Fertilizer use gave a yield increase of 7%. Farms located in Western region had higher yields compared to Ashanti, and cocoa systems on short fallows had lower yields than farms cultivated on recent forest clearings and old fallows. Fungicide use, seed sources and land ownership had no significant effects on yield. We conclude that for a sustainable climate-smart cocoa agenda, promotion of shade trees is key

The potential roles of Albizia zygia in cocoa plantation systems of Ghana

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Preliminary evaluation of some forest trees for cocoa cultivation

Some forest trees were evaluated for their propagation, growth rate and suitability to provide shade in cocoa farms. The tree species were initially selected on the basis of being widely distributed in cocoa growing areas of Ghana. Germination tests including various dormancy breaking techniques were used to raise seedlings. Ricinodendron heudelotii required pre-heating at 40°C for 12 days to achieve about 70% germination. The use of acid scarification for 24 hours achieved only 32% germination which was not different from the control. Other species like Newbouldia laevis, Spathodea campanulata, Alstonia boonei and Pycnanthus angolensis germinated without any pre-treatment. R. heudelotii showed better growth rates than the other species in the field. N. laevis and Antiaris africana were slow growing from seedling transplants. S. campanulata and R. heudelotii provided good ground cover speedily. However, R. heudelotii showed deciduous growth even in the sapling phase whilst S. campanulata did not shed its leaves but rather renewed the leaves gradually such that shade was better provided throughout the juvenile growth period. S. campanulata would therefore be a suitable shade tree species for establishing young cocoa farms. Further evaluation of the growth pattern, shade provision and mineralization of the litter from the species continues. JOURNAL OF THE GHANA SCIENCE ASSOCIATION Volume 1 Number 1, July (1998) pp. 141-15

Good agronomic practices in cocoa cultivation: rehabilitating cocoa farms

Published online: 8 Aug 201