The Application of BBCH Scale for Codification and Illustrations of the Floral Stages of Caribbean Fine Cacao Theobroma cacao L.

Cocoa （Theobroma cacao L.） is the major input into the chocolate manufacturing industry, particularly the fine or flavor of the indigenous variety Trinitario, which is the hybrid of Crillo and Forastero. One key problem encountered by researchers is the inability to differentiate the various phenological stages of the cocoa reproductive cycle and to assess or predict the yield. This study sets out to map the various stages of the reproductive biology of cacao and to develop a set of photographic illustrations that appropriately describe the floral biology and development stages of Caribbean free cocoa as a tool for agronomist and farmers. It used a modified version of the codification of the ＂extended BBCH＂ scale （Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt and Chemische Industrie, Germany）, which is a numerical system that differentiates between principal, secondary and tertiary growth stages. The phases and all floral stages to fruit development are described and illustrated in a set of photographs, which can now be used for training and referencing purposes. This is the first attempt to undertake and document this study.