Clonal Cacao at Keravat.

Abstract

Since 1947, work designed to improve the standard of planting material of Theobroma cacao has been carried out at the Lowlands Agricultural Experiment Station, Keravat. New Britain. This paper deals with one aspect of the improvement programme—vegetative reproduction of high-yielding, high-quality cacao, with particular regard to cuttings. It discusses the use, background and establishment of cuttings and has been written specifically for commercial growers who are now in a position to obtain limited supplies of some Keravat clones. Pitfalls for growers attempting to use cuttings from their own selections are emphasized, together with notes at some length on establishment, in which stress has been placed on the degree of care necessary for success.