Cacao Phenology Under Different Philippine Climate Types​

The phenological response of cacao was used to assess its suitability to three climate types in the Philippines. This was done by determining the pattern and intensity of flowering, fruit setting and fruit retention in three sites representing each climate type from March 2019 to February 2020 and also estimate the yield potential of cacao under these climates by applying an existing physiological production model of cacao. Two months with less than 100 mm rainfall synchronized peak flowering for all sites from April to June resulting in cherelles peaking in number in August while most mature pods were retained on the last quarter of the year. Uneven rainfall distribution throughout the year discouraged year-round production of cacao leading to seasonality and low fruit setting and retention in Type II and III climate despite having enough annual total rainfall. Type IV climate with the relatively even rainfall distribution throughout the year, high temperature and less occurrence of typhoons highly favors the production of cacao as seen by the better fruit setting and pod retention rate. Potentially, both Type III and IV climate are most suited for cacao production because of high solar radiation and temperature throughout the year given that water is not limited. Thus far, among the climate types in the Philippines, Type IV is the most suitable in cacao production along with Type III if only fruit set and pod retention rate can be increased for the whole production year in the latter by supplemental irrigation during the dry months and mitigation of typhoon effects.