Respuesta agronómica en los clones de cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) CCN-51 y EETP-800 a la aplicación de abonos verdes

Objective: To evaluate the agronomic response of cacao clones (Theobroma cacao L.) CCN-51 and EETP-800 associated with Mucuna pruriens and Tithonia diversifolia as green manures, due to their potential to improve the growth, productivity, and health of the crop. Methodology: The study was conducted between February and May 2026 at the Sacha Wiwa Experimental Center, Cotopaxi province, Ecuador. A completely randomized block design with six treatments and four replications was employed. The chemical characteristics of the soil, plant height, stem diameter, number of healthy and diseased ears, and total disease incidence were evaluated. Results: The application of green manures favored the vegetative and productive development of both clones. The treatment EETP-800 + Tithonia diversifolia showed the highest values of stem height and diameter, with 238.91 cm and 106.01 mm, respectively, at 930 days. Likewise, this treatment recorded the highest production of healthy ears. The incorporation of Mucuna pruriens reduced the total incidence of diseases to 7.67% in CCN-51 and 5.71% in EETP-800, compared to the control treatments. Conclusions: Green manures constituted a sustainable alternative to improve the growth and productivity of cocoa and contribute to the sanitary management of the crop, with Tithonia diversifolia standing out for productive development and Mucuna pruriens for reducing the incidence of diseases under Ecuadorian subtropical conditions.