Integrating agri-environment schemes such as organic farming and wildflower strips offers complementary effects on biodiversity conservation. Implementing these schemes enhanced biodiversity by 20%–3...

Native fine flavor cacao fetches premium prices on specialty markets, owing to its superior sensorial traits. However, alleged low productivity limits its planting, and high-yielding bulk cacao dominates the international market. Overcoming the yield gap is necessary to promote fine flavor cacao and thus conserve cacao’s native genetic diversity, while increasing farmers’ revenues. We studied the compatibility and yield potential of six Blanco de Piura cacao genotypes, a fine flavour landrace from northwestern Peru. We compared planting designs with different genotype diversity and assessed the impact of plantation management intensity (frequency of pruning and removal of infested pods) on productivity. Following renewing the canopy of adult cacao trees using grafting, we quantified the yields of the six white-bean genotypes on 12 smallholder farms using three clonal designs: (1) monoclonal (one genotype per plot), (2) polyclonal rows (three genotypes alternated by row), and (3) polyclonal trees (three genotypes per tree). Yields were monitored for 3 years, starting 2 years after grafting, and compared with non-grafted controls. After 3 years, grafted trees yielded 59% more cacao than non-grafted controls, regardless of clonal design and management intensity. Monoclonal designs performed best under intensive management, whereas polyclonal designs excelled under poor management, suggesting that diversification is most beneficial for farmers with limited management capacity. Cacao yields on frequently managed farms were 118% higher than on poorly managed farms, reaching 1200–1500 kg dry beans/ha. Polyclonal trees offered no yield advantage over polyclonal rows, suggesting that the close vicinity of different genetic materials may not represent a benefit for cross-pollination by non-flying insects. We conclude that canopy renewal can increase the yield of native fine flavor cacao, matching or surpassing levels of high-yielding bulk cacao under smallholder farming conditions. A translated version of this manuscript in Spanish is available online.

Native fine flavor cacao fetches premium prices on specialty markets, owing to its superior sensorial traits. However, alleged low productivity limits its planting, and high-yielding bulk cacao dominates the international market. Overcoming the yield gap is necessary to promote fine flavor cacao and thus conserve cacao’s native genetic diversity, while increasing farmers’ revenues. We studied the compatibility and yield potential of six Blanco de Piura cacao genotypes, a fine flavour landrace from northwestern Peru. We compared planting designs with different genotype diversity and assessed the impact of plantation management intensity (frequency of pruning and removal of infested pods) on productivity. Following renewing the canopy of adult cacao trees using grafting, we quantified the yields of the six white-bean genotypes on 12 smallholder farms using three clonal designs: (1) monoclonal (one genotype per plot), (2) polyclonal rows (three genotypes alternated by row), and (3) polyclonal trees (three genotypes per tree). Yields were monitored for 3 years, starting 2 years after grafting, and compared with non-grafted controls. After 3 years, grafted trees yielded 59% more cacao than non-grafted controls, regardless of clonal design and management intensity. Monoclonal designs performed best under intensive management, whereas polyclonal designs excelled under poor management, suggesting that diversification is most beneficial for farmers with limited management capacity. Cacao yields on frequently managed farms were 118% higher than on poorly managed farms, reaching 1200–1500 kg dry beans/ha. Polyclonal trees offered no yield advantage over polyclonal rows, suggesting that the close vicinity of different genetic materials may not represent a benefit for cross-pollination by non-flying insects. We conclude that canopy renewal can increase the yield of native fine flavor cacao, matching or surpassing levels of high-yielding bulk cacao under smallholder farming conditions. A translated version of this manuscript in Spanish is available online.

Landscape Ecology -

Growing up as a city dweller and later experiencing village life as a student, I have witnessed the profound post-communist transformations in Hungary’s urban and rural landscapes. This dual perspecti...

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Website of the Georg-August-University Göttingen

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Recent global policy developments have highlighted the need for straightforward, robust, and meaningful biodiversity metrics. However, much of conservation science is dominated by the use of a single....

Paula Schatte and co-authors share insight from their recent study examining the relative importance of food availability and conspecific vocalisations for breeding habitat selection during both th…

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