COM 0289.000 2018-2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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East Hawaii Cacao Variety Trial Proposal PI Eli Isele and Co-PI Dr. Alyssa Cho Background and Justification The majority of cacao farms in the state are located on the Big Island(65%). Additionally, new plantings are in progress with 50 acres expected as of 2016 (Bittenbender, 2016). Heavy rainfall (135"+/year) and high humidity intensifies the presence of Phytophthora palmivora, the causal agent of Black Pod Rot(BPR). A combination of weather and disease makes cacao production in East Hawaii (Big Island) challenging. BPR causes up to 30% crop loss and can kill up to 10% of trees annually(Acebo Guerrero, 2012). The 2016 Annual Hawaii Cacao Survey showed this disease was of greatest concern by cacao farmers (Bittenbender, 2016). Therefore,this cacao variety trial will investigate Black Pod Rot resistance in addition to other growth and production characteristics. Historical cacao production in Hawaii is from seed and not clonal material. While the cost to plant seedling cacao orchards is inexpensive, pod and nib quality, consistency and profitability are questionable. In Uganda, research found that little more than half(52%) of the producing seedling trees contributed to a majority (96%) of farm yield (Mabey, 1964). Had clones of high producing varieties been used, production could have been doubled. This occurrence may also be happening in Hawaii due to seedling variability. One method of increasing yield, is to plant clonal varieties with known vigor, yield and disease resistance. In a previous cacao study, variety `UH3' known as `Easton' showed resistance to BPR. By undertaking a variety trial based on clonal lines, the project goal will be to establish the trial and then begin to collect sufficient data to back the recommendation of robust, high yielding varieties with BPR resistance. At least several years of data collection will be required and future work will include dissemination of project information and propagative materials of a recommended variety or varieties to clientele. Materials and Methods This research trial will evaluate ten cacao selections, and compliment a current trial (being planted in June 2019, consisting of ten selections with variety ICS95 as a control for both trials.) The selections will consist of 1)two locally selected lines from cacao growers on the windward side of Hawaii Island and 2) eight other selections or varieties to be determined. These eight selections will be sourced from USDA in Puerto Rico and other local growers. Cacao experts Dr. Skip Bittenbender, Colin Hart, and Dan O'Doherty will be consulted to determine the last eight suitable varieties. This project will take place at the Waiakea Research Center(Waiakea) in Hilo. There will be ten replicate trees per selection or variety, planted at a 10' x 10' spacing. Waiakea provides suitable accessibility for field days and future hands-on workshops on orchard establishment,pruning,harvesting, and processing. In addition, establishing the trial at Waiakea will encourage collaboration with the East Hawaii Island Master Gardener program where volunteers will be able to contribute hours towards maintenance and data collection, beyond this initial funding period. This strategy will ensure long term success of the project by having a variety of labor sources. Data Collection During orchard establishment, data will be collected on early tree growth and phenology, vigor, mortality, pest and disease presence. Trees will be replaced if lost due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Future data collection will include yield, BPR presence and impact, other pest and disease incidence, phenology and quality data.