Work

Stability analysis of cocoa clones for yield in the humid tropics of India

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction Climate change, marked by rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns, is known to impact cocoa growth thus fluctuating cocoa production in various countries. The objective of this study is to assess the yield stability and adaptability of different cocoa clones under varying environmental conditions and to identify genotypes suitable for climate-stressed and marginal environments. Methods Six cocoa clones—VTLCC1, VTLCH1, VTLCH2, VTLCH3, VTLCH4, and VTLC1 (control) laid in RCBD with four replications as intercrops in a coconut plantation —were evaluated over four consecutive years (2020–2023) to assess variability in dry bean yield and related traits. Results The combined regression, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI), and variance-based stability analyses demonstrated a significant genotype-by-environment (G × E) interaction and clones differed widely in terms of dry bean yield and other yield parameters. VTLCH2 noted to be the most productive cocoa clone, exhibiting superior pod yield (41.36), higher bean number (41.90), dry bean yield (2.07kg/plant) and stable fat content across environments. Its β i < 1, low s 2 d i , and favourable PC1 positioning indicated specific adaptability to marginal or stress-prone environments, making it suitable for humid tropics under climate-change conditions. Discussion VTLCH2 consistently recorded superior performance across years that differed in rainfall and temperature, indicating better tolerance to seasonal fluctuations in moisture availability and higher temperature conditions compared with the other clones, as indicated by a negative PC1, and positive PC2 near to unity in AMMI, confirmed the suitability of cocoa clone VTLCH2 for marginal (unfavorable) climate.

Source: Frontiers in Plant Science

DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2026.1767516