Influence of Water Levels on the Yield Parameters of Cocoa in the Forest Savannah-Transition Zone of Ghana

Abstract

The study was carried out inthe Forest-Savanah Transition zone of Ghana to determine the influence of different water quantities on yield parameters of 13 years old 'Series II', a biparental hybrid of Amelonado and Trinitarioscocoa, (Theobroma cacao L) from December to August. The randomized complete block design with four treatments and four replications was used. The treatments were 0 liters (control) (T0), 20 liters (T1), 30 liters (T2) and 40 liters (T3) of water applied per plant per day. The parameters studied were: number of cocoa pods per plant, weight of fresh cocoa pods, number of beans per pod and weight of hundred (100) dry beans. The weight of dried beans and weight of fresh pod were significantly affected by the water levels. The results revealed that 30 liters of water (T2) when applied during the period of drought gave maximum value in all the performance parameters. It is recommended that cocoa farmers with irrigation facilities in the Forest-Savannah Transition zone can apply 30 liters of water daily during the dry season and to supplement rainfall to ensure continuous production of cocoa throughout the year.