THE PRESENCE AND ACTIVITY OF POLLINATOR INSECTS IN DIFFERENT CANOPY DENSITIES AND THE POLLINATION EFFICIENCY ON COCOA FRUIT PRODUCTION (THEOBROMA CACAO L.) IN SUMEDANG REGENCY, WEST JAVA

• Main Author: Wardiani Fathinah P, Adhellia
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/76448
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Cocoa is a potential crop in Indonesia, including in Sumedang Regency. The productivity level of cocoa in Sumedang Regency is relatively low. It is suspected to be related to less intensive plant maintenance and supported by the plant’s characteristics that require pollinators. The aim of this research is to assess the presence and activity of pollinator insects in different canopy densities and the pollination efficiency on cocoa fruit production. The study was conducted at Kotakulon Cocoa Orchard, Sumedang Regency, under open canopy (OC) and closed canopy (CC) conditions from February to May 2023. The presence and activity of pollinator insects were observed during the flower anthesis stage (n=240), and pollination efficiency was observed since the flowers are pollinated to the formation of fruit on 45 trees. Observations were conducted on three pollination treatments: (1) insect pollination, (2) self pollination, and (3) hand pollination, with 80 flowers each. Fruit formation was observed from flowering (anthesis) to harvest. The presence of insects in different canopy densities was observed using scan sampling and hand collection methods, as well as yellow sticky traps. The activity of pollinator insects in different canopy densities was observed using focal sampling method. The observed pollinator activities consisted of perching behavior (sepals, petals, staminoids, styles, stamens, and anthers), visitation frequency, and visitation duration. Specimen collection for pollen load analysis was done using a tubular aspirator. Pollination efficiency was determined by comparing fruit harvest results among the three pollination treatments. The results showed the presence 20 Genera of 14 Families in the open canopy, and 18 Genera of 11 Families in the closed canopy. Dolichoderus sp. that perching on the stigma and anther had visitation frequencies (OC=0,22±0,02; and CC=0,22±0,00 visits/flower/hour) with durations of 33,14±40,47 seconds and 60,47±50,32 seconds in the open canopy, and 36,62±26,32 seconds and 53,73±41,55 seconds in the closed canopy. The average pollen load by Dolichoderus sp. could deposit in both canopy conditions was 273,44±413,81 pollen grains/mL per day. Insect pollination was more efficient in stimulating an increase in the number of seeds formed (16,56±0,80 seeds/fruit) and resulted in 20% higher fruit production compared to other pollination methods.