UNDERGRADUATE

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Browsing UNDERGRADUATE by Author "Aiza Mae D. Gregorio"

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    Major practice in the cultural management practices of cacao (Theobroma cacao L. var. Criollo) beans production [manuscript]
    (2019) Aiza Mae D. Gregorio; TBD Supervisor
    The major practice was conducted at the Department of Crop Science Pomology Project Area, College of Agriculture, Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija from August 2018 to March 2019. The general objective of the major practice was to enable the major practice student to acquired firsthand experienced in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) production. The specific objectives were to enhanced the knowledge of the student and developed skills in cacao production and to produced 20 kg of cacao seeds. During the conduct of the major practice, the student was able to developed skills involved in the actual cultural management production practices of cacao such as removal of water sprouts, irrigation, pruning, fertilizer application, pesticide application, harvesting, fermentation and drying and marketing and were be familiarized to the rules and regulations of the project for the release of inputs, equipment and others. In growth parameters, average number of four lateral branches per tree was recorded. The average leaf length of 34.14 cm and average leaf which of 11.34 cm was recorded. In terms of yield, all of 15 trees bear a total of 184 cacao pods and produced 8.5 kg of cacao beans. The average pod length was about 15.97 cm with an average pod width of 6.51 cm and average pod wall thickness of 1.05 cm. The recorded average number of pods per tree was 12 pods while the average mummified pods per tree was 7 mummified pods. The average number of ridges per pod was 10 ridges as well as the average weight of pod was 377.1 g. The average number of beans per pod was about 44 beans with an average bean length of 2.41 cm, average bean width of 1.53 cm and average bean thickness of 0.73 cm. The average number of formed beans was about 41 beans with an average deformed beans per pod of 2 beans. Moreover, the average weight of 10 beans per pod of each sample pods was about 16.05 g. The presence of aphids and mealybugs were observed. There were also signs and symptoms of cacao pod rot in the 6 sample tree. Each affected sample tree has an average of 3 rotted cacao pods. A total yield of 8.5 kg dried seeds was produced from 15 trees, which was lower by 11.5 kg than the objective of the field practice student. This is because criollo plant is more susceptible to fungal diseases and other pests such as aphids and mealybugs. It produces smaller yields and the tree is too old.