Impact of Spacing on Soil Microbial Populations, Pest and Disease Incidence in Cocoa Cultivation

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is a globally important commercial crop prized for its delicious and versatile beans used in chocolate production. However, cocoa cultivation faces significant challenges, including pest and disease outbreaks that can devastate yields and farmer livelihoods. One potential approach to managing these challenges is optimizing agricultural practices, including planting density or crop spacing. This study aimed to investigate the impact of different planting densities on these factors to identify an optimal spacing strategy that promotes a healthy soil microbiome, reduces pest and disease problems, and ultimately enhances cocoa yields. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with eight treatments and three replications. Results revealed that T7 (2.5m) exhibited the lowest incidence of pod rot (0.48), while T6 (2m) had the least mealy bug infestation (0.55). Notably, T6 showed the highest bacterial population (7.33 × 106 CFU g-1), whereas T4 (3 x 3 m) and T7 (2.5m) demonstrated higher fungal populations (3.33 × 104 CFU g-1). Furthermore, T3 (3m x 2.5m) displayed the highest actinomycetes population (4.33 × 103 CFU g-1). These findings underscore the importance of spacing configurations in influencing soil microbial populations and pest and disease incidence in cocoa cultivation.