Avaliação de clones de cacau (Theobroma cacao L.) no Norte de Minas Gerais

Abstract

The cultivation of cacao (Theobromacacao L.) plays an important role in the social and economic life throughout the world. The state of Bahia is the largest producer in Brazil, but its productive capacity was reduced with the advent of the witches’ broom disease. Cacao cultivation in semi-arid and non-traditional areas is possible in shaded and irrigated areas, reducing the incidence of diseases by low humidity. This research had the objective of evaluating the growth, development and gas exchange of four clones of cacao under banana shading in the northern of Minas Gerais state. The experiment was carried out at the Institute of Agrarian Sciences of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, located in the city of Montes Claros - MG. Four clones were evaluated: CCN10, CCN51, CEPEC2002 and PH16 planted between the lines of the banana plantation IAS. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with seven replicates. The growth of the plants was evaluated by means of linear dimensions: height, diameter, number of leaves, number of flowering plants and number of fruits, besides determina-tions related to gas exchange by the plants - liquid photosynthesis, transpiration, internal concentration of CO2, efficiency of water use (EWU) and intrinsic efficiency of water use (IEWU). Despite showing lower results of EWU and IEWU when compared to the others, the clone CEPEC2002 was superior to the others when their growth in height, diameter and flowering percentage were analyzed, being this one the most suitable of all for cultivation in the northern region of Minas Gerais.