Instalación del vivero y producción de plantones de cacao

Cartilla instructiva Nº 5 provides a comprehensive guide for cacao cultivation under agroforestry systems, serving as a tool for technology transfer to farmers in these regions. Cacao propagation is typically achieved through grafting, as direct sowing of seeds in the final field is not recommended due to its labor-intensive nature and lack of uniform growth. Grafting allows for the controlled and rapid production of healthy and productive plants. A vivero, or nursery, is essential for this process, enabling the production of high-quality cacao plantlets. The vivero is a prepared space with a ramada and beds for producing well-formed and healthy cacao plantlets. These plantlets remain in the vivero for a period of three months before being transferred to the final field for grafting. The vivero offers several advantages, including rapid, secure, and controlled production of high-quality plantlets at a low cost. Key benefits of vivero production include low production costs, ease of management, and the ability to produce high-quality plantlets with good development and resistance to pests and diseases. This approach ensures the success and profitability of cacao cultivation. To establish a cacao vivero, nine key steps must be followed. These include planning the vivero, locating and preparing the site, constructing a ramada or shade structure, preparing the substrate for filling bags, filling the bags with substrate, leveling and arranging the bags, obtaining and selecting seeds, pre-germinating the seeds, and finally, sowing the pre-germinated seeds. The ideal time for installing a cacao vivero is between April and July, when seeds are readily available. By following these steps and utilizing a vivero, farmers can produce high-quality cacao plantlets, ensuring the success and profitability of their cacao cultivation endeavors.