The Application of BBCH Scale for Codification and Illustrations of the Floral Stages of Caribbean Fine Cacao Theobroma cacao L.

Abstract

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is the major input into the chocolate manufacturing industry, particularly the fine or flavor of the indigenous variety Trinitario, which is the hybrid of Crillo and Forastero. One key problem encountered by researchers is the inability to differentiate the various phenological stages of the cocoa reproductive cycle and to assess or predict the yield. This study sets out to map the various stages of the reproductive biology of cacao and to develop a set of photographic illustrations that appropriately describe the floral biology and development stages of Caribbean fine cocoa as a tool for agronomist and farmers. It used a modified version of the codification of the "extended BBCH" scale (Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt and Chemische Industrie, Germany), which is a numerical system that differentiates between principal, secondary and tertiary growth stages. The phases and all floral stages to fruit development are described and illustrated in a set of photographs, which can now be used for training and referencing purposes. This is the first attempt to undertake and document this study.

Reproductive Characteristics of the Selected Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Clones after Regenerated from the Somatic Embryogenesis Culture

“…The transition process from the FBV (BBCH51) to the completion of bud growth (BBCH59) required ~30 days with no difference between somatic embryogenesis cultured and grafted clones (Table 6). This result is similar with those found by Niemenak et al [7] and Bridgemohan et al [8] for seed, rooted cutting and grafted cocoa clones from Caribbean, i.e. Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.…”

“…The observation was conducted daily at 10 am from January to March 2018 based on a modified version of BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt Bundessortenamt and CHemische Industrie) worldwide scale for cocoa plant. This development scale was generated by Bridgemohan et al [8] and Niemanak et al [7]. The length of time taken from first bud visible (FBV, BBCH 51) to the completion of bud growth (BBCH 59) was quantified in calendar days.…”

“…The flower was continuously opened throughout night and when 80 % of flower have opened, the stage was BBCH68. This stage which were not described by Niemenak et al [7] and Bridgemohan et al [8] can be added to the BBCH scale for a future reference of clones from the Trintario variety in Asia. At 10 am after 31 days from FBV, all cocoa flowers were fully opened.…”

“…Apart from staminode and style distance, it is also crucial to study the flower reproductive development for the maximum yield in cocoa plant. Niemanak et al [7] and Bridgemohan et al [8] found that the phenological stages from flower to fruit development can be used to compute and predict the yield of cocoa plant. In addition, the stigmatic receptivity was also imperative in cocoa plant for sexual reproduction and seed formation [9].…”

Posibles efectos del cambio climático en la región productora de cacao en Tabasco, México

“…Sin embargo los resultados de este trabajo pueden ser contrastados con otros métodos como los aplicados por Suárez et al (2013); Espinosa-García, Uresti-Gil, Vélez-Izquierdo, Moctezuma-López, Inurreta-Aguirre y Góngora-González (2015); Ángeles Hernández y Montiel Gutiérrez (2018) y Vega Nevárez (2018). Las desventajas radican en la disponibilidad de datos climáticos y de observaciones fenológicas confiables, especialmente de especies frutales tropicales debido a la complejidad fenológica que pueden presentar los árboles, en comparación con los cultivos anuales; una alternativa es el empleo de una escala fenológica común como las que proponen Niemenak et al (2010), Bridgemohan et al (2016), y De Cara García, Ruiz y Barceló (2020). En cuanto a los cambios en las variables climáticas, será necesario experimentar con otros escenarios (RCP2.5, RCP6.0 Las condiciones climáticas en la región de estudio son las adecuadas para que el cacao cumpla satisfactoriamente su ciclo fenológico.…”