N. Sitohang, P.H.L. Gaol, E. Marbun, U. Girsang, M.F. Nainggolan, N. Simatupang
The cocoa beans of small holders were usually still of low quality, one of which was caused by the planting location of various altitudes, especially in the highlands at altitudes >800 m above sea level. Currently, cocoa cultivation is expanding to highland areas in the Humbang Hasundutan District at altitudes >800 m above sea level. The pod quality description of cocoa should be emphasized to promote cocoa development in highlands. The focus of this research was the characteristics of cocoa pods and beans on several altitudes in the higland of Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North of Sumatra, Indonesia. The research method was a survey using purposive sampling at four altitudes: 865, 960, 1030, and 1118 m above sea level (asl). The observed parameters were pod size, pod diameter, pod volume, dry weight of pod, dry weight of husk, dry weight of beans, bean count per pod, and dry weight per bean at 4 different altitudes in Humbang Hasundutan highland (>800 m asl) with 10 pods (replications) at each altitude. The results of research showed that pod size increased, pod diameter increased, pod dry weight increased, dry weight of beans increased, bean count per pod increased, and dry weight of each bean increased with the increase in altitude. The best pods and beans were at an altitude of 960 m asl, namely pod length 18.10 cm, pod dry weight 85.92 g, beans dry weight 39.02 g, number of beans per pod 38.7, and average weight per bean 1.02 g. The physical characteristics of cocoa pods and beans are still in the normal category. © 2025 Instituto Internacional de Ecologia. All rights reserved.
Catholic University of Saint Thomas, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agrotechnology, Medan, Indonesia; Goverment Regional Planning Agency – BAPPELITBANGDA, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North of Sumatra, Indonesia; Catholic University of Saint Thomas, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agribusiness, Medan, Indonesia