Simulated potential and water-limited yields of cocoa under different agro-ecological zones in Peninsular Malaysia

A.G. Mohamad Zabawi and W. Gerritsma

Abstract

The yield of cocoa under potential and water-limited production levels in different agro-ecological zones was simulated using cocoa model CASE2. For both production levels, the yield was simulated using five years of climatic data (1991–1995) and plant data of three-year-old plant. The results showed that the average potential yield for the selected areas was about 3.5 t/ha/year. Under water-limited production, the average yield was approximately 4% lower than potential yield except for Sitiawan and Jerangau with reduction of 16% and 20% respectively. Basically, the differences between these two production levels were due to weather conditions and soil characteristics at any particular location, by which weather seemed to be the predominant factor. The yield difference between potential and water-limited production on different soil series were comparatively small, especially with respect to Munchong, Bungor and Rengam series. There was also evidence that the performance on Bungor series and Rengam series were generally higher compared with other soil series.

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