Incidencia de la poda de mantenimiento en la producción del cultivo de cacao (Theobroma cacao) en el recinto la Puntilla cantón La Troncal.

Abstract

The cultivation of Theobroma cacao L. is an agricultural activity of great economic importance in Ecuador; however, inadequate canopy management and disease incidence affect its productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different maintenance pruning intensities on yield, disease incidence, and the economic performance of cocoa cultivation in La Puntilla, La Troncal canton. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used, with five treatments and four replications. Four topping levels were evaluated (15, 20, 25, and 30% of the canopy), along with an unpruned control treatment. Yield was assessed at 35, 50, and 65 days after pruning, disease incidence was evaluated at 65 days, and an economic analysis was conducted. The results showed no statistically significant differences in yield among treatments; however, T3 recorded the highest yield at 65 days, with 644.13 kg ha⁻¹, whereas the control treatment recorded 524.95 kg ha⁻¹. Disease incidence showed statistically significant differences with respect to the control, with the lowest value recorded in T3 and the highest in the unpruned treatment. Regarding the economic analysis, T3 generated the highest gross income and net benefit, whereas the control treatment showed the highest benefit-cost ratio because of its lower variable costs. It is concluded that 25% topping showed the best numerical performance in yield, plant health, and net benefit during the evaluation period.