Resumo

SOLIS BONILLA, José Luis et al. Agronomic evaluation of cocoa hybrids (Theobroma cacao L.) for high-yield selection and field resistance to moniliasis. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2015, vol.6, n.1, pp.71-82. ISSN 2007-0934.

In this study agronomic behavior of 11 hybrid families of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) resistant to monilia (Moniliophthora roreri (Cif. & Par.) and established in the town of Tuxtla Chico, Chiapas, under humid tropical conditions was evaluated. Hybrid families were obtained through controlled pollination of reciprocal cross of UF-273, PA-169, SCA-6, ICS-1, Santa Clara-3, RIM-117 and Pound-7 clones. Plants were seeded at a distance of 3 m between rows and 2 m between plants in a randomized block with four replications and eight plants per experimental unit. Evaluated variables were: grain fresh weight, grain dry weight, pod index, index seed and incidence of moniliasis. Results from cycles (2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012) showed that the best hybrid comes from cross Uf-273 x PA-169 and PA-169 x UF-273. Considering total pods of crop, the incidence of moniliasis reached 40% in the years of assessment. Hybrid families with low percentages of disease incidence and high grain yields per unit area were detected.

Palavras-chave : Moniliophthora roreri; Theobroma cacao; breeding; resistance.