Optimisation of productivity costs and ecological benefits of shade cocoa farming uncovered

First study to show canopy cover-dependent effects

Contextualization: The floristic analysis of the components associated with the cocoa crop is considered as a keystone to design relevant agroforestry models. Knowledge gap: In the Pacific Coast of Nariño, traditional agroforestry systems of cocoa have a diversity of secondary species; however,...

The areas of current and future aptitude for cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) and coffee (Coffea arabica L.) crops were evaluated, in climate change scenarios in the Soconusco region, Chiapas, Mexico and the areas where the aptitude of the land increased or decreased were defined. The above provides...

Mistletoes are parasitic flowering plants that attack plants like cocoa and kill branches distal to point of attachment. Consequently, cocoa farmers incorporate trees to provide shade to limit germination and establishment of Tapinanthus bangwensis mistletoe species, but without success. This study ...

Storage insect pest is a major constraint to stored produce in Nigeria. The insecticide properties such as low toxicity to non-target organism, biodegradability, environmentally friendliness and high volatility makes essential oils better alternatives to conventional fumigants in the control of...

The stingless bees of the genus Trigona are social insects characterized by being floral pollinators and producing honey. Some of these species may damage vegetative and reproductive parts of crops of economic importance to obtain resins and fibers used as material to build their nests. Trigona...

Background: Cocoa is a species commonly cultivated under agroforestry systems (AFs), when microclimate conditions are adequate, it achieves high growth rates and seed yield. Questions and Hypotheses: How do four cocoa varieties respond to open (OC) and closed (CC) shade tree canopy conditions...

The objective of this study was to improve cacao (Theobroma cacao) production through its association with a woody species, such as Ricinodendron heudelotii, in western Côte d'Ivoire. To do this, a design of two transects (10 m and 20 m) was installed around the species in 5 localities (Buyo,...

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) yield in Tumaco, Nariño, is one of the lowest in Colombia, making this activity unattractive to farmers, despite having one of the best cacaos in the world. Researchers affirm that proper crop management and nutrition of cacao plants are the most effective alternatives to ...