Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) and Gliciridia sepium Root System for Water Availability on Agroforestry

Abstract

Indonesia is the third largest producer fo cocoa in the world. In generally, cocoa is cultivated using three different cropping system i.e (i) traditionally under the shade of selectively thinned forest, (ii) under planted shade trees such as Gliricidia, Cocos nucifera and (iii) unshaded tree conditions. The objective of the research is to analyze the conductivity and root distribution of 6 year old cocoa trees and G. sepium. Observations were done to learn about root conductivity and sitribution. The research was conducted in O'o Village, South Kulawi District, Donggala Regency,which was around Lore Lindu National Park area, Central Sulawesi province, at 585 metres above sea level, and with a coordinate of 15524' North latitude and 1200206' East longitude. he research was conducted from June 2006 to May 2008. The result showed that cocoa root had low capacity in distributing water than that G. sepium. Cocoa root were present to a depth of 150-160cm, and thevroots of G. sepium penetrated much deeper than those of cocoa, being present to a depth 275 cm. The different on root distribution and conductivity could be reducing competition for water and help to availablle water cocoa and G. sepium