Supplemental and Synchronized Pollination May Increase Yield in Cacao

Abstract

<jats:p>Artificial pollination management strategies are a potential solution to improving the livelihoods of smallholder cacao farmers by increasing crop productivity in situations when pollination services are limiting. However, field-based research trials evaluating the yield benefits of artificial pollination management strategies within intensified cacao systems are lacking. Thus, in an intensively managed cacao system, we evaluated the effects of artificial pollination condition (i.e., pollen genotype, pollination intensity, and pollination synchrony) on fruit development and yield in three high-yielding cacao clones. Artificial pollination, regardless of intensity, significantly increased fruit set and yield. Pollination synchrony had a significant effect on cherelle survivorship; older cherelles had greater survival rates across all developmental stages than younger cherelles. Yield differed between genotype crosses and varied according to the pollen donor used, highlighting the importance of understanding self- and cross-compatibility when selecting clones for cultivation. Pollination intensity had no significant effect on harvested yield, indicating that more rigorous research is needed to identify the pollination intensity required for optimized yield under artificial pollination conditions. We conclude that strategies to enhance flowering, pollination rates, and pollination synchrony while ensuring adequate tree nutrition may increase productivity in cacao. Future research evaluating numerous cacao clones across multiple years and locations may help us to understand the region-specific effects of intensive management strategies on the long-term sustainability of enhancing cacao tree productivity.</jats:p>

Perception and adoption of artificial pollination technology in cocoa production: Evidence from Ghana

“…It is believed that artificial pollination reduces production cost, improves environmental benefits, and increases crop yield among others (Kassie et al, 2009;Kyei, 2019). Forbes et al (2019) found that, artificial pollination, regardless of the intensity, significantly led to increases in both fruit set and yield of cocoa. Sánchez-Estradaand and Cuevas (2020) also found that during the "on" season (that is, the season where most trees display abundant flowers), artificial pollination led to an increase in the number of final fruit sets and yield which led to higher profits.…”

“…Artificial pollination has been found to be the best option that can help solve the problems associated with natural pollination (Vera-Chang et al, 2016;Forbes et al, 2019;Toledo-Hernández et al, 2020). Artificial pollination happens when there is a human intervention in the pollination process.…”

“…and Q2: What are the factors influencing the adoption as well as the extent of adoption of artificial pollination in cocoa farms? Most empirical studies on artificial pollination have focused on the science behind the technology as well as the benefits of its adoption (Groeneveld et al, 2010;Chautá-Mellizo et al, 2012;Forbes et al, 2019). Frimpong-Anin et al (2013) also considered farmers' awareness of the technology.…”

Cacao flower visitation: Low pollen deposition, low fruit set and dominance of herbivores

“…Manual pollen supplementation has been found to triple yields and increase cacao farmers’ incomes by up to 69% (Toledo‐Hernández et al., 2020). However, yield gains through hand pollination depend on environmental factors, cross‐compatibility levels and timing (de Almeida & Valle, 2009; Forbes et al., 2019). Successes also might fluctuate locally, but no large‐scale studies have addressed hand pollination gains in countries of origin of cacao.…”

Effect of Nano-TiO2 Composite on the Fertilization and Fruit-Setting of Litchi

“…Nevertheless, the flowering and fruiting period of litchi in southern China is mainly from March to June, which coincides with the rainy season. Artificial pollination and suitable methods are usually applied to increase fruit set and yield [ 28 , 29 ]. Previous work has found that boron and putrescine can improve pollen viability [ 30 ].…”