Spacing and shading of cocoa plants

Production is at a maximum at 50% of full sunlight if no fertilizer is applied. However, cocoa tolerates a wide range of light intensities. Cocoa thrives in conditions from 75% to full sunlight, provided it is given adequate water and nutrients. The leaf canopy must be sufficient to maintain a humid environment or leaves will drop and trees dieback. 

Under low or no shade conditions, flowering occurs earlier and a greater number of flowers are formed. Anthesis is also more successful, leading to higher pod numbers.

Shade and pruning are important management tools in cocoa production. Good pruning techniques allow some light penetration into the tree and lower canopy. This increases air flow and reduces the incidence of the fungal diseases

In some countries it is common practice to provide shade trees such as coconut, rubber, plantain, or old fruit trees such as longan, during cocoa establishment. These are then removed as the cocoa becomes more productive.

Given good soil fertility, supplemented by tailored rates of fertilizer, the highest yields can be produced in unshaded cultivation systems. Given too much shade, cocoa yields are low and there is less response to fertilizer.