Cocoa trees (theobroma cacao linn.) agroforests replanting in togo: What appropriate agroecosystems?

Cocoa agroforest remained the main cultivated agroforest in West Africa. This study examined the effects of shading regime, soil depth and soil texture on the growth of immature cocoa trees. A field experiment was conducted during one year in forest zone in Togo and data was collected in twelve cocoa orchards established in June - July 2014. Three equal size plots (12 x 10 m²) were randomly located in each orchard, where agronomic variables and soil samples were collected. The results showed that, more the shading regime was dense (p<0.05) more the young cocoa trees crown were developed, more the crown radius were extended and less the cocoa trees died. When the orchard soil was deeper (p<0.05), better the cocoa trees used rainwater and more quickly they were developed. The cocoa trees mortality rate was less when the soil texture was sandy-loam (p<0.05) and more numerous were the crowns formed. The optimum condition for immature cocoa trees growth was an agroecosystem who meet a sandy-loam soils, deep more than one meter and covering by a shading trees which prevent from 75-100% of sunlight.