Induced Fruit Set of Theobroma cacao by Mistblower Applications of Insecticides1

Abstract

Four insecticides and spray intervals were used in studying flower development and fruit set on Theobroma cacao L. Carbaryl inhibited abscission of the flowers and allowed an increase in total fruit set while malathion, dieldrin, and dimethoate were progressively more detrimental than the water-sprayed check. Mechanical pollination by mistblower turbulence increased fruit set proportionally to application frequency.