intercropping cocoa with coconut

Cocoa is a perennial crop that can be successfully cultivated in coconut plantations. With cocoa currently fetching a good price in the market, many coconut farmers are keen to cultivate it as an intercrop. Studies conducted by the Coconut Research Institute indicate that cultivating cocoa in coconut lands enhances coconut yield. This is due to factors such as reduced soil erosion, improved moisture retention due to dry leaf cover, the addition of organic matter to the soil from leaf litter, and the suppression of weed growth. Cocoa cultivation can thrive in wet and intermediate zones of coconut lands in districts like Colombo, Gampaha, Kurunegala, Kegalle, Kalutara, Galle, and Matara.

Did you know?

Apart from being used to produce chocolate, cocoa is also significant in:

Cocoa Varieties

CharacteristicCriolloForasteroTrinitario
Seed colorWhiteDeep PurpleWhite – Purple
YieldRelatively lowRelatively highRelatively high
FlavorSuperiorInferiorMedium
Plant vigorLowStrongMedium
Disease resistanceLowHighAverage

Ideal Environmental, Climatic, and Soil Conditions for Cultivation

Cocoa plants thrive best in the mid-country and lower mid-country agro-climatic zones in Sri Lanka.

Preparing Planting Material

  1. Select healthy mother plants.
  2. Extract seeds from ripe and healthy pods.
  3. Wash the seeds to remove the mucilage.
  4. Within two days of seed extraction, plant them in 15 x 20 cm poly bags.
  5. Prepare a soil mixture with equal parts topsoil, compost, sand, and coir dust.
  6. Place the bags in shade and water them regularly.
  7. Once 50% of the seeds have germinated, select the best seedlings.

Seedlings with 4-8 leaves are suitable for field planting. Alternatively, seedlings can be purchased from the Department of Export Agriculture’s nurseries or those approved by them.

Planting Methods

  1. Double-Row System
    • Two rows of cocoa are planted between two rows of coconuts.
    • The space between the two rows of cocoa should be 11 feet.
    • The distance between two cocoa plants in a row should be 10 feet in a triangular arrangement.
    • Around 400 plants can be planted per acre.
  2. Single-Row System
    • One row of cocoa is planted between two rows of coconuts.
    • Cocoa plants are spaced 10 feet apart.
    • Around 200 plants can be planted per acre.

Pit Size

Before planting, fill the pits with a mixture of surface soil, dry cow dung, 60 g of superphosphate, and a few coconut husks. After planting, protect the seedlings from direct sunlight, and if irrigation is not available, plant with the onset of rains. Apply mulch around the seedlings using coconut husks or straw for successful growth.

Weed Control

Especially during the early stages, it’s essential to keep the area around the cocoa seedlings and between rows free from weeds and to cover the soil with mulch. Since cocoa has a shallow root system, care must be taken not to disturb the soil during weeding.

Why is weed control important?

Advantages of partial weed control:

Cocoa Plant Growth

Cocoa follows a biphasic growth pattern. The stem grows upright to about 1-1.5 meters within 7-10 months, after which it produces horizontal branches, a process known as “jorquetting.” From this point, another shoot will start growing upwards.

The fruiting of the cocoa plant occurs through the activation of axillary buds at the nodes where leaves once grew along the main trunk. These spots are referred to as “cushions”. Multiple fruits can develop from the same cushion over time.

  1. Chupons
    These grow vertically, parallel to the main trunk, and contribute to the height of the plant. The leaves arranged in a spiral pattern can be observed on the shoots. Chupons exhibit rapid growth.
  2. Fan Branches
    These grow horizontally, parallel to the ground, helping the plant spread laterally. The leaves on these branches are alternately arranged.


Pruning

To achieve a high yield, cocoa plants should be pruned to maintain a height of around 5 feet and ensure that the trunk receives adequate sunlight. Removing weak and excess branches helps in optimizing sunlight exposure.

Fertilization

Organic fertilizers like cow dung, compost, and chemical fertilizers help promote rapid growth and better yields. A recommended fertilizer mix includes:

For the first year, apply 60 grams of this mixture per plant every three months. In the second year, apply 250 grams per plant every six months, and in the third year, increase the amount to 350 grams per plant every six months, only when soil moisture is adequate.

Pests and Diseases

Cocoa plants are relatively resistant to pests and diseases compared to other crops. However, Black Pod Disease is a significant concern. To control this disease, it is recommended to use Bordeaux mixture or a commercially available copper-based fungicide. Cocoa Capsid Bugs can cause severe damage, especially to growing pods, but can be easily managed by applying insecticide powder. Additionally, in coconut cultivation, a common threat to cocoa pods comes from rats, and steps should be taken to reduce their population. Preventing the creation of rat nests in coconut trees can help control their numbers.

Diseases

  1. Black Pod Disease (Phytophthora pod rot)
    • PathogensPhytophthora palmivoraP. capsici, and P. megakarya
    • Symptoms:
      • Appearance of water-soaked brown spots on the pod surface.
      • Rapid enlargement of these brown patches.
      • If left untreated, the disease infects both the pod’s outer shell and the seeds inside, causing rot.
  1. Stem Canker
    • This disease is commonly found in areas where Black Pod Disease is not effectively managed.
    • PathogenPhytophthora palmivora
    • Symptoms:
      • Wet, dark brown lesions appear on the stem.
      • In the morning, reddish-brown sap can often be seen oozing from these lesions.
      • If the affected bark is peeled off, the inner stem appears red-brown. If the main stem is severely infected and not treated, it may lead to tree death.

Cocoa Dieback Disease

Pests

  1. Cocoa Capsid Bug
    • Damage Nature:
      • Up to 2 months: Pods dry up and wither.
      • 2 to 4 months: Reduction in quality.
      • After 2 months: No significant economic damage.
  2. Cocoa Mealybug
    • Acts as a vector for Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus.
    • The secretion of the mealybug promotes fungal growth, causing pods to turn dark.

Harvesting and Processing

When cocoa is intercropped with coconut, the time for cocoa trees to bear flowers depends on the variety and the cultivation conditions. Typically, the first harvest can be expected from a 3-year-old plantation, and full productivity is achieved around 5-6 years.

A well-maintained cocoa tree within a coconut plantation can easily produce around 1 kg of processed cocoa beans per year. Pods mostly develop on the main trunk and branches. Harvesting should only be done when the pods are fully mature and have turned a yellowish color. Care should be taken not to cut the beans with a knife, as it can cause damage. Damaged beans are unsuitable for processing.

After harvesting, the pods should be split open using a wooden tool, and the seeds, which are coated in a slimy mucilage, should be placed in a banana leaf-lined basket and covered for about three days. During this period, the mucilage surrounding the seeds ferments and liquefies. After fermentation, the seeds should be thoroughly washed and sun-dried. Properly dried cocoa can be stored for an extended period. With good maintenance, a cocoa plantation can provide consistent income for a long time. Moreover, compared to other intercrops, cocoa is easier to manage once it has matured.

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