Sum. (Fr, En)

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The flowering of cacao follows an annual rhythm determined by distribution of rainfall and light intensity. The optimal time is when soil moisture is close to field capacity and when there is 4 to 6 hours of sunlight per day. At this time, during the months March to May, the quantity of flowers produced is 60 to 75 percent of the total for the year. It appears that the quantity of flowers produced under moderate shade is always greater than from trees growing in full light. Over a period of three years the mean number of flowers under shade is 60 to 70 percent higher than on unshaded trees. During the different stages of development of the pods, it was found that the take, as a percentage of flowers produced, is low. At maturity, it may be only 1 to 5 percent. At the start, the setting rate is 10 to 30 percent, but during the 2nd to 3rd month heavy losses occur from cherelle wilt. After this stage, the losses are due to fungal attack. In general, the success rate at all stages of growth, is much greater than from pods resulting from later flowerings. The rate for flowerings from May to July is 1.5 to 2 times higher than for those of February to April and 2 to 3 times more for those from November to January. If a shortage in soil moisture and exposure to high light intensity are limiting factors, it is probable that this phenomenon must depend on internal factors which are difficult to understand in a heterogeneous population

Obra escrita en francés con resumen en inglés