Growing cocoa in semi-arid climate and the rhythmicity of stem growth and leaf flushing determined by dendrometers.

This study investigated the performance of cocoa trees within an irrigated cocoa plantation situated in the semi-arid region of Bahia, Brazil. Two treatments were compared: "full sun," where cocoa trees were not shaded, and "shade," where trees were covered with a shading net absorbing 30 % of the radiation. The number of leaves and the leaf area index (LAI) were assessed using destructive method on 8 trees.