Análisis morfológico y de rendimiento de cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) en Fortul, Arauca

Abstract

The objective of this study was to characterize the morphoagronomic performance of three genetic groups of Theobroma cacao L.—Trinitario, Forastero, and Criollo—established in the municipality of Fortul, Arauca (Colombia), to identify materials with higher productive potential. Variables such as fruit weight and number of beans per pod, pod index, leaf area, and yield per tree were evaluated. The results revealed significant differences. The Trinitario group showed the highest seed index (15.3 g per bean) and the highest average number of beans per pod (37.84), outperforming both the Forastero and Criollo groups. It also recorded the highest agronomic yield with 541.90 g of dry beans per tree and greater efficiency in the pod index, requiring only 18 pods per kilogram of dry cacao beans. No significant differences were found in leaf area, although the Criollo group showed slightly lower values. Similarly, no clear differences in leaf shape were observed between the Trinitario and Forastero groups.

It is concluded that the Trinitario group presents significant agronomic advantages, positioning it as the most promising in terms of productivity and efficiency, an aspect that is relevant from both an industrial perspective and for genetic improvement strategies in cacao-growing systems of the Arauca piedmont.