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Archives (2001)
Propagating cacao
by nodal grafting
by Mary Charlotte O. Fresco |
July-September
2001
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Cacao is a crop of great commercial value and
has a competitive advantage both in the domestic and international
markets. Cacao processed beans are used mainly by manufacturers
of chocolates, cocoa powder, soaps, cosmetics, shampoo and
other pharmaceutical products.
Despite the bright future of this crop, the
domestic production level of cacao has been decreasing, from
7.945 metric tons in 1994 to 7,000 metric tons in 1999. This
can be attributed to some long-standing problems such as of
lack of superior varieties and inadequacy of technologies
on pest management and postharvest handling and processing
and the poor farming systems.
In an attempt to address this concern, the University
of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, North Cotabato tested
and used nodal grafting technique to propagate cacao cultivars
with superior characteristics (uniform and vigorous growth
and free from diseases).
Nodal grafting involves the use of a scion (shoot)
that is inserted in the node of mother stock to produce high
quality planting materials.
The steps involved in nodal grafting are as
follows:
- Construct a nursery shade (mature bamboos
for frame and coconut fronds for roof) 7-ft high. The shade
should be about 50%.
- Fill black polyethylene bags (5"x7") with garden
soil. Perforate the bags (at least 10 holes) and arrange them
in rows (4 bags/row with a 2 ft. distance between rows). Use
recommended rootstock varieties such as UIT1, UIT2, and 246A.
- When at least a pair of leaves has emerged from the stock,
water and place the rootstocks together in a 12"x16"
white/transparent polyethylene bags. Increase the shade percentage
of the nursery to 80%.
- Get a scion of recommended varieties from accredited budwood
gardens.
- Cut the stock stem two inches above the node leaving a
pair of leaves. Cut the middle of the stem to at least 1/2
inch deep. Cut the scion (with one node) diagonally into 3
inches long. Insert the scion stem in the rootstock. Make
sure that stock and scion cambium are in good contact.
- Use a .003 inch polyethylene strip to tighten the connection.
Use paper clip or any materials that can hold the scion and
stock together until callus are formed.
- Place a stick in the middle of transparent polyethylene
bag and tie it.
- At the time the scion has produced new shoots, open the
polyethylene bag partially.
- After two weeks, remove the transparent polyethylene bag
and arrange the seedlings following step 2.
- Apply fertilizer (urea) to the seedlings
Ideally, grafted seedlings are planted before
reaching four months. 
(For more information, please contact Dr.
Ruben Cabangbang, National Plantation Crops Network Office,
University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, North Cotabato,
Tel.No. (064)248-2323). More Articles:
Vol. 3 No. 3 July-September 2001
»»
USM recommends high-yielding rubber clones
»» GMA okays
P2B R&D Fund
»» New
sciences to produce more food
»» Five
cacao clones now ready for farmer use
»» NIRDEAP
for rubber: stretching opportunities for rubber industry
»» Rubber:
the oozing tree
»» Village
processing technologies: approach to solve low production of rubber
»» Smallholder
rubber farming system "no break" in farmers' income
»»
NIRDEAP for coffee: perking up the coffee sector
»» Clonal
propagation in coffee: a promising technology
»» How
to raise healthy cacao seedlings
»» Earning
more from canes
»» Coping
with acidic soils
»» Muscovado:
the promise of the 'other sugar'
»» Rock
candy: a 'tasteful' example of a profitable home business
»» Propagating
cacao by nodal grafting
»»
Making vinegar a business venture
»» The
Philippine coffee industry: a profile
»» Prospects
in cocoa
[More
2001 Articles]
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