Pollination studies on Upper Amazon cocoa clones in Ghana in relation to the production of hybrid seed

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Abstract
Summary Hand-pollinations at weekly intervals on three self-incompatible Upper Amazon cocoa clones over a two-year period gave high setting rates and high rates of pod recovery. The flowering patterns of the three clones varied, as also did their relative intensities of flowering. Seasonal variations in pollinator populations and in flowering patterns influenced the levels of pollination from adjacent cross-compatible clones. Average bean numbers from hand-pollinated pods varied seasonally. The implications of the results of these studies on the production of hybrid seed from Upper Amazon parent clones are discussed. It is concluded that natural pollination cannot be relied upon to produce seed-pods at times of the year when they are needed for planting. Recommendations are made on the use of hand-pollination to control the timing of pod production in existing seed-gardens.

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