Mechanical injury of wind to recently transplanted cacao seedlings as related to the shade problem. In: Theobroma v. 8 p. 117-124, 1978.

Abstract

Experiments in which cacao (Theobromo Cacao L.) scedlings were submitted to different combinations of treatments involving protection and exposure to sunlight and wind have shown that the beneficiai effect of shading in young cacao areas is due not only lo reduced exposure to solar radiation but also to reduced air movemenl around the plants. Excessive wind caused severe mechanical injury, at lhe pulvinus leveI. Visible damage oecurred only 24 hours following exposure to wind. Injury progressed rapidly, leading to intensive leaf fall if the planls were maintained under nonprotected conditions. It is suggested that wind-breaks on their own can give adequale protection to cacao plantations, by providing both lateral shade and wind shelter. This practice mighl permil lhe use of a wide range of economic trees for sheltering and would probably lead to higher yield due to higher photosynthesis.