Flavor is the main parameter of cocoa bean quality. The characteristic of flavor is influenced by the composition and intensity of metabolites both volatile and non volatile. It was hypothesized that non-volatile compounds impacted the flavor preference of whole cocoa beans. This study aimed to identify the differences in the non-volatile compounds between aromatic and non-aromatic genotypes. The study used the genetic materials that have been classified as aromatic and non-aromatic genotypes based on sensory characteristics. The six aromatic cocoa genotypes, including DR 2, ICCRI 03, ICCRI 07, ICCRI 09, TSH 858, and MCC 02, and four non-aromatic cocoa genotypes consisting of Sulawesi 1, Sulawesi 2, KW 516, and KEE 02 were used. The results showed that the non-volatile compounds influenced the cocoa flavor both taste and aroma. There were differences in the content of non-volatile compounds in aromatic and non-aromatic genotypes. The fermentation index, carbohydrate, and polyphenol content of the aromatic genotypes were higher than the non-aromatic group. The fermentation index showed an important indicator of the flavor precursor development of cocoa beans. Polyphenol compounds have a contribution to bitter and astringent taste. The carbohydrate and theobromine content influenced the strength of the fine aroma, such as fresh fruit, browned fruit, woody, and spicy.

Vascular streak dieback is a major disease in cocoa trees that affects at in various stages, and effect in significant yield losses. This study aimed to identify the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), infection rate (r), and the influence of weather factors on the development of vascular streak dieback disease caused by Ceratobasidium theobromae in some cocoa clones with different resistant levels. The research used a randomized complete block design consisted six clones as treatment and each treatment consisted of three replications. Disease severity was observed on six different cocoa clones and observations were conducted monthly. The observation of disease severity was observed monthly for 12 months and then used to analyze AUDPC and infection rate. Monthly data on the weather conditions were taken from the climatology station of the Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Center, East Java. The results showed that Sulawesi 01 and ICCRI 09, categorized as resistant clones, showed low AUDPC values, 0.02 and 2.85 respectively. The cocoa clones Sulawesi 02 and MCC 02, categorized as tolerant clones, had higher AUDPC values, 19.87 and 34.27 respectively. The cocoa clones BCL and BL 50 showed the highest AUDPC values, 277.05 and 265.70 respectively. Path analysis on resistant clones indicated that rainfall is the most influential weather factor in increasing the severity of vascular streak dieback, followed by temperature. Higher relative humidity can significantly reduce disease severity, while sunlight and wind speed have smaller effects. In contrast, path analysis on susceptible clones showed that temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, and wind speed all positively influence the severity of vascular streak dieback. At the same time, sunlight has a mitigating effect.

The non-aromatic genotypes are known to possess the capacity to produce aromatic cocoa beans when planted in strategic environments with specified soil compositions. Therefore, this study aimed to identify genetic responses to the flavor of cocoa beans in different growing environments. A total of three superior cocoa clones, namely the aromatic (MCC 02) and non-aromatic genotypes (Sulawesi 1 and Sulawesi 2), were used. A completely randomized block design was utilized with three replications at four locations with different agro-climatic types, including Jember in East Java (dry area, low land), Pringsewu (dry area, low land), Pesawaran (wet area, medium land) in Lampung, and Soppeng in South Sulawesi (dry area, medium land), which served as the control location of FFC producers. Additionally, the sensory properties were assessed by three trained and certified panelists. The results showed that both genetic and environmental factors significantly influenced the flavor characteristics of Indonesian cocoa beans. Non-aromatic genotypes cultivated in Pesawaran and Soppeng demonstrated the ability to produce aromatic beans. Significant differences were observed in the volatile characteristics of aromatic and non-aromatic genotypes. Compounds such as alkaloids, pyrazine, and alcohol dominated cocoa beans produced in the aromatic group, while non-aromatic genotypes were dominated by terpenoids. Variations in elements and soil conditions contributed to the changes in the sensory characteristics of cocoa beans, ultimately leading to aromatic characteristics.

Seed growth and uniformity are keys in producing high quality and yield of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.). Plant growth is influenced by internal factors (genetics)and external factors, including planting media. This study aimed to determine the effect of cocoa planting material types and planting media of cocoa seedlings.The research was conducted at Kaliwining Experimental Station, Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI), Jember, Indonesia, using a split-plot group randomized design. The main plot was the planting media consisting of topsoil, topsoil and rice husk, and topsoil and manure. The subplots consisted of two types of cocoa planting material: hybrid seeds ICCRI 08H and half-sib Sulawesi 1. Each treatment was replicated three times. The results showed that the media influenced on seedling growth uniformity, plant height, stem diameter, and number of leaves. Genetic factors affect plant height and stem diameter. The interaction of media and the type of planting material affect the stem diameter and number of leaves. Cocoa seedling growth with the best plant height and stem diameter was shown in topsoil and manure media, while the response to the number of lleaves showed differences between ages and planting media used. ICCRI 08H hybrid cocoa planting material showed the highest plant height and stem diameter compared to Sulawesi 1 half-sib

Flavor is one of the most essential indicators for determining the quality of cocoa beans, especially fine flavor cocoa. The volatile compound in the beans affect the mechanism the flavor emergence. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the volatile compound in the aromatic and non-aromatic cocoa groups as one of FFCs indicator. It was conducted at the Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute, Jember, East Java, Indonesia. Furthermore, the genetic material used consisted of six aromatic cocoa genotypes, such as DR 2, ICCRI 03, ICCRI 07, ICCRI 09, MCC 02, and TSH 858 as well as four non-aromatic genotypes such as Sulawesi1, Sulawesi 2, KW 516, and KEE 2. A completely randomized block design (RCBD) was used with three repetitions. The fermented bean samples of each genotype were analyzed of volatile compound at the Food and Science Laboratory, Jember Polytechnic, East Java and sensory test was conducted by three certified panelists from ICCRI. Data were analyzed by orthogonal contrast analysis with IRRI's STAR 2.0.1 software. While the Microsoft Excel 2019 and R Studio were used for correlation analysis and heatmaps. The results showed aldehydes, acids, esters, pyrroles, and pyrazines of aromatic cocoa bean group higher than the non-aromatic. The alanine and terpenoid compounds was only found in clones DR 2 and ICCRI 03, while the alcohol and phenol compounds dominated in the non-aromatic group. Genotypes were grouped into six groups, based on flavor and volatile compound. ICCRI 09 characterized by strong acidity with a fresh fruit, spicy and sweet aroma as well as containsed aldehydes. Furthermore, ICCRI 03, MCC 02, and TSH 858 bean had weaker acidity and aroma than ICCRI 09 and contain terpenoids. ICCRI 07 had a nutty and woody aroma and was dominated by furan and pyrazine compounds. While Sulawesi 1 had a putrid aroma and alkaloids. The genotype groups of KW 516, KEE2, and Sulawesi 2 had astringent taste, dirty/dusty and moldy aroma as well as contained alcohol and phenol. Keywords: Aromatic; Flavor; Non-aromatic; Theobroma cacao L; Volatile compounds

Fat and polyphenols are functional compounds in cocoa beans that determine product quality and are highly influenced by environmental factors. Information regarding the stability of the character of the polyphenol and fat content of the cocoa plant is still limited, therefore it needs further study. This study aimed to determine the stability of fat and polyphenol content in several cocoa clones at three different growing locations. The study used a nested design with a randomized block design with field design consisting of five cocoa clones, three different growing locations and each combnation treatment was repeated three times. The cocoa clones used were ICCRI 09, MCC 02, Sulawesi 1, KW 516, and KW 562, planted in three different growing locations namely, Kaliwining Experimental Station, Jember, East Java; Sekampung Udik, East Lampung, Lampung; and Harapan Jaya, Pesawaran, Lampung. The combined analysis of variance indicated that there was a genetic interaction with the environment for the character of fat and polyphenol content. Based on the stability analysis, it is known that all cocoa clones fall into the stable category according to the concept of static stability. Furthermore, based on addtive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis, the clones that can be recommended for Jember, East Lampung and Pesawaran locations for the character of fat content are clone KW 516, while for the characters of high and stable polyphenol levels at the three locations are clones MCC 02, KW 516, and KW 562. In addition, the most recommended clone based on fat content at Jember was the MCC 02 clone, KW 562 at East Lampung, and KW 516 clone at Pesawaran. The existence of the phenomenon of genetic interaction and the growing environment for the characters of fat and polyphenols in cocoa plants provides important information, especially in considering the development of cocoa for specific purposes, namely parameters of fat and polyphenols.

Vascular streak dieback (VSD) is one of the main diseases on cocoa that can cause a decrease in production and even death on susceptible plants. The use of selection criteria is very important in the selection process at the seedling phase, young plants and even mature plants in order to support the breeding process of resistant varieties. The aim of the study was to determine the characteristics of flush including flush color, stomata characters and duration of flush color change to green or towards mature leaves as one of the selection indicators for VSD resistance in cocoa. The research was conducted at Kaliwining Experimental Station, Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute, Jember, Indonesia. Study of flush color and stomata characters was conducted using a randomized complete block design consisting of four cocoa genotypes with different levels of resistance, classified as resistant to VSD disease (Sulawesi 1, PNT 16) and as susceptible (BCL and BL 50). Each clone was repeated three times and each replication consisted of three plant samples. Flush color duration study was carried out on six cocoa genotypes as treatments, three genotypes with resistant to VSD (PNT 16, Scavina 12, Sulawesi 1) and three genotypes as susceptible to VSD (BL 50, BCL, Criollo 22). Each treatment was repeated three times and each replication consisted of three plant samples. The results showed that the resistant genotypes showed a tendency to have lower chlorophyll and anthocyanin content than the susceptible ones. The stomata character in the resistant genotypes was not different than the susceptible ones, however, the resistant genotype showed that the stomata density at flush tended to be lower. The duration of flush color change to mature leaves (green) in resistant genotypes was significantly faster than susceptible genotypes.

Identification of the type of branching architecture will be one for the considerations in determining specific spacing recommendations for cocoa plantation. The research was conducted at Kaliwining Experimental Station, Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute. The aim of this study was to investigate of branching angle characteristics of cocoa clones that can be used in determining planting space in cocoa farms. This research usied a completely randomized block design (RCBD) consisting of 21 genotypes as treatments. Each treatment was repeated three times and each replication consisted of three sample plants. Parameters observed were branch angle and the type of branching. Branch angle is the angle formed by the outermost primary branch and was measured using a protractor. The results showed that each genotype had a different angle on the primary branch, while the secondary and tertiary branch angles did not shown any significant difference. The results of the analysis showed that of the 21 genotypes tested, ICCRI 03, BAL 209, and KW 411 showed horizontal branching type; Sulawesi 1 and Sulawesi 3 showed vertical branching type, while the other 16 genotypes had intermediate branching types. Cocoa clones with a vertical branching type can be planted in denser spacing compared to cocoa clones with a horizontal branching type. The population per hectare of clones with vertical branching type can be increased 3 to 4 times when compared to clones with horizontal branching type.

The intensity of vascular streak dieback (VSD) disease is one of the major causes of decreased fine flavor cocoa production in Indonesia; therefore, it is essential to develop superior planting materials resistant to this disease. The purpose of the study was to conduct initial identification of yield potential and resistance level to VSD disease in several promising clones of fine flavor cocoa and to identify bean quality profile. This study was conducted at Kaliwining Experimental Station, Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute, Jember, Indonesia, with an altitude of 45 m above sea level (asl.) and C climate type, according to the Schmidt-Ferguson classification system. The study design used a complete randomized block design consisting of 13 promising clones and 3 superior clones of fine flavor cocoa as control. Each treatment was repeated 4 times in blocks, and each plot consisted of 5 plants. The results showed that PNT 16 was potential to be developed as a superior promising clone of fine flavor cocoa with high yield potential (66.6 pods/ tree/year equal to 2.52 kg dry bean/tree/year) and low VSD level (VSD score: 0.4) in first year of production (4 years old after planting). The superior promising clone of PNT 16 comprises of 35.1 beans per pod with good quality, weighed by 1.25 g/bean, and a higher percentage of white seeds above 80% (94.9%). Furthermore, the specifications of the main flavor attributes are similar to ICCRI 09 and dominated by the browned roasted, nutty and browned fruit aroma. Therefore, the clone has the potential to be developed as one of the special cocoa products.

El Nino effect as impact from global climate change needed anticipation effectively to keep cocoa production still give farmer benefit because effect of long dry season make some trouble in cocoa production. Cocoa production technology package that suitable in dry land needed for sustainable and empowerment cocoa production in marginal dry land. Principal component of this technology package is superior planting material because success of cocoa production depend on accuracy of selecting planting material. Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute consistently carries out cocoa breeding programs aimed at overcoming problems in the field, specifically to obtain superior planting material that is tolerant to biotic and abiotic stress. This research method was carried out by observing 22 promising clones of cocoa that were planted in the Kaliwining experimental station in the 2013-2017 observation period, each clone planted in three blocks. The observed variables included estimation of production, resistance to VSD, helopeltis, and pod rot. Based on multivariate analysis, it was found that ICCRI 09 had a stable production performance from 2013 - 2017 while the promising clone of KW 641 had a special adaptation to dry conditions. Both of these clones have the potential to be developed as drought tolerant planting material to overcome the impact of climate change on cocoa production. The observation results of pest and disease attacks obtained a pattern that the clones that have tolerance to drought have good resistance to VSD.

El Nino impacts resulted from global climate change need to be effectively anticipated to maintain the profitability of the cocoa plantation business which is generally lower due to the long dry season. Cocoa production technology packages suitable for dry land are currently demanded to maintain the sustainability and the empowerment of cocoa production at marginal drylands. The principal component of the technology packages is drought-tolerant superior planting material. This research aimed to obtain information on clones those produce stable in diverse environmental conditions and produce well in dry conditions. The research method was applied by observing 22 promising cocoa clones planted in the Kaliwining Experimental Station in the period of 2013 to 2017 observation, each of which was planted in three blocks. The observed variables included estimated production, resistance to VSD, helopeltis, and pod rot. Based on the multivariate analysis, KW 617 had a stable production performance during period of observation while ICCRI 07 and the promising clones of KW 562 and KW 641 had a special adaptation to dry conditions. Those clones have the potential to be developed as drought tolerant planting material to overcome the impact of climate change on cocoa production. The observation results of pest and disease attacks obtained a pattern that the drought-tolerant clones have good resistance to VSD.

Cocoa butter is the most essensial component in chocolate formulation and represent the biggest characteristic of this product. Indonesia is the third cocoa producers with cocoa producing area spread out in different geographic region and may affect in cocoa butter profiles. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the fatty acid characteristic and physical properties of cocoa butter from smallholder estate relate to geographic region and climate. This experiment was conducted using unfermented cocoa bean from smallholder estate in eight provinces of Indonesian most growing areas. Fatty acid composition evaluated through the different region and physical properties evaluated in melting profiles and solid fat content. The result explain the fatty acid characteristic of Indonesian cocoa butter consist of palmitic acid (C16:0) 26.28–29.20%, stearic acid (C18:0) 32,14–37.29% and oleic acid (C18:1) 32,14–37,29%. Growing temperature signifi- cantly affects the increase of palmitic acid composition contribute to cocoa butter hardness. Cocoa butter completely melt in temperature of 36.65–39.20OC and solid fat content ranged 7.288–16.82% in 33OC and ranged 0.02–0.29% in 38OC. This Indonesian cocoa butter comply to the classification of hard cocoa butter.

The challenge of providing cocoa seeds is the characteristic of recalcitrant seed, thus requiring storage techniques that can slow down the decline in seed viability in an effort to manage the distribution of cocoa seeds which depend to the time of demand and harvest. The research aimed to study the effect ofpackaging method for storage of cocoa seeds; the effect of shelf life and temperature to germination and water content of seeds, and the stability of seed germination at different age and storage temperature. The research was conducted at Kaliwining Experimental Station, Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute, Jember, East Java. The research used complete randomized design with research design using split plot. The treatments consisted of packaging methods, storage temperature and storage life. Packaging methods consisted of two methods, i.e. vacuum methods and non vacuum methods. Storage temperature consisted of three treatments, i.e. 15OC, 25OC and 30OC. both of packaging and temperature treatments were stored at four shelf life treatment included 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks. Each treatment was repeated with three replications and each treatment per replication consisted of 50 seeds. Data analysis used SAS 9.0 and stability analysis used R program and PB Tool. Water content of seeds, germination of seeds and number of seedy seeds were observed. The results showed that type of packaging and storage temperature effect to germination of cocoa seeds but did not effect to seeds water content. Storage of cocoa seeds by non-vacuum packaging showed a higher of germination compared to vacuum packaging in all temperature treatments. Storage with non vacuum packaging at a temperature 25OC showed a germination more than 85% for 2 weeks of shelf life, while storage of cocoa seeds at a temperature of 30OC had a germination of more than 85% for only 1 week shelf life. Storage of cocoa seed at 15OC showed the lowest of germination at treatment. Storage treatments did not show effect on water content of cocoa seeds.

Cocoa is a sensitive plant to availability of soil water. The availability of water affects the formation of cocoa pods and beans. The aim of this research was to determine the genetic diversity and the influence of season on the diversity of cocoa beans quality as well as determining the pattern of genotype and season interaction on the quality of physical physiology of cacao beans. The research was conducted in Kaliwining Experimental Station, Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute, Jember during dry season (2015) and rainy season (2016). This study used a complete randomized block design 2 x 12 factorial and three replicates as blocks. The first factor was the season consisting of two levels namely, dry season and rainy season. The second factor was cocoa clones, TSH 858, KW 084, KEE 2, Sulawesi 1, Sulawesi 2, BAL 209, KW 215, JTC 5A, JTC 5B, KC 2, KKM 22,and KJ 2. Observation variables included pod diameter, pod length, pod weight, dry bean weight, number of good beans/pod, number of empty beans/pod, numberof beans, and number of pods/tree/season. Data was analyzed using ANOVA fixed factor. The bean dry weight characteristics possesed a low genetic diversity (0.27%) whereas the physical quality character of other beans, i.e bean count had moderate genetic diversity (14.20%). Meanwhile, the real difference was shown on the dry weight of bean characteristics. The best dry bean weight was observed during the dry season. Clones KW 215 and Sulawesi 1 in the dry season was catego-rized in grade A, while the lowest quality JTC 5A with grade D. The interaction of genotype (clone) with the environment (season) resulted in a significant effect on pod diameter character, pod weight, bean count, dry bean weight, and numberof pods/tree. Based on the biplot AMMI graph it was known that the TSH 858 clone showed genetic stability in bean count character. As for the character of the number of pods/tree, clones KKM 22, BAL 209, and KW 084 had the stability of the number of pods in rainy and dry seasons. Clones KJ 2 and Sulawesi 2 showed season-specific in the dry season for the number of pods/tree characters.

Climate change is universal phenomena which is importantly anticipated including cocoa plantation. Drought tolerance cocoa seedling is urgently neededto develop cocoa plantation. This paper studied possible drought tolerance of cocoa seedling through crossing between female parent KKM 22 with three maleparents BAL 209, KW 641, and KW 614. Progeny test was conducted in green house based on four water availability conditions: 25, 50, 75, and 100%. Root condition was recorded as rootstock parameters of three crossings. Result showed that root characteristics varied among crossing samples studied. The longestand hight volume root were recorded from KKM 22 x BAL 209 crossing. Seedling of KKM 22 x BAL 209 crossing tended to have long and wide root, while seedling of KKM 22 x KW 641 crossing tended to have a wide root type and seedling of KKM 22 x KW 614 tended to have a long root type. Based on drought tolerancy, seedling of KKM 22 x KW 641 crossing could be classified as drought tolerance while other two group progenies could be classified as susceptible to drought.To conclude, seedling of KKM 22 x KW 641 can be recommended for cocoa plantation in drought area.

ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) occurring in 2015 in Indonesia caused drought stress and the decrease in the percentage of production and even death of plants. One effective and relatively inexpensive way of reducing damage and economic losses due to drought is the availibility of tolerant cocoa. The objective of this research was to obtain tolerant clones based on morpho-physiological characters under drought stress. The experiment was conducted in Kaliwining Experimental Station of Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI) during dry season (El Nino period with 5 consecutive dry months, from May to October 2015). Stomata, proline, leaf water status was measured at the peak of dry season on tested cocoa clones. The cocoa clones that predicted tolerant against to drought stress were KW 641, KW 514, KW 535, KW 619, and KW 516, whereas the cocoa clones that predicted susceptible under drought stress were KW 609, KW 614, KW 635, KW 606, and KW 651. The treatment clones had higher values of RWC, leaf proline content, narrower width and length of stomata openings, but smaller value of WSD compared to susceptible clones. Meanwhile, the character of leaf thickness might not significanly different to the character of drought tolerance.

Global warming impact in increasing temperature and becomes threat for cocoa production because growth of cocoa depends on the amount of water available in the environment. The objective of this study was to describe cocoa hybrid that may potentially be developed as drought-resistant cocoa hybrid. The study used 14 types of cocoa hybrids and ICCRI 06H as control. Those plants were approximately 4 years old and the hybrids were planted in Sumber Asin Experimental Station and Kendeng Lembu Plantation. The variables being observed to evaluate 2015 El-Nino effect were percentage of growing plants, tree diameter, jorquette height, flush and flower intensity in 2016. Analysis of variance, correlation and additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) biplot were used to find out which hybrids were potentially drought-resistant. The finding showed that there was significant interaction between the genotypes (hybrids) and environment towards the percentage of growing plants, tree diameter, flush and flower intensity. The correlation between the variables showed that there was significant, negative correlation between the percentage of growing plants and height; even though there was significant correlation between the two, it was quite low. There was significant correlation between the tree diameter and the jourquette height while there was not any between the tree diameter and the percentage of growing plants. The AMMI analysis classified the drought tolerant hybrids into two groups, (1) cocoa hybrids adaptive to both normal as well as the temperature and water scarcity (drought), was ICCRI 03 x KW 617, and (2) drought tolerance cocoa hybrids, was KW 516 x KW 617.

Vascular streak dieback (VSD) is one of the main diseases on cocoa. This disease can produce a heavy damage in susceptible plants. Agro-climatic condition influences the VSD disease severity level. A study on the relationship between agro-climatic condition and VSD disease severity was conducted in eight locations which were selected based on difference in agro-climatic conditions including altitude, rainfall, number of wet, and dry months. Randomized complete block design was used consisting of eight agro-climatic conditions as treatments which consisted of 200 trees samples, and scored for VSD intensity. A study was also conducted on the response of cocoa clones with different level of resistance at different altitude at Kendeng Lembu, Jatirono, Sungai Lembu, Banjarsari, and Sumber Asin Plantations. A split plot design was applied consisting of two factors. The first factor was location including Pager Gunung (highland) and Besaran (lowland). The second factor was clone resistance with two levels: PA 191 (resistant) and BL 703 (susceptible). VSD scores and stomatal characteristics (stomata number, stomata diameter, and stomata aperture) were determined. The results of experiment showed that VSD scoring differed significantly between the eight agro-climatic conditions. The highest VSD score occurred in the lowland (Gereng Rejo, Banjarsari Plantation, 38 m asl.), where the average annual rainfall was 2161 mm, with five dry months. Cocoa trees in Sumber Asin (580 m asl.), with the average annual rainfall of 2302 mm and 8.5 wet months/3.5 dry months were mostly free of VSD disease. Altitude was positively correlated with rainfall, and negatively correlated with VSD severity. Number of wet months was negatively correlated with VSD severity. Conversely, number of dry months was positively correlated with VSD. The result indicated that genotype, environment, or their interaction did not significantly affect number and aperture of stomata. Although stomatal diameter was significantly affected by environment, genotypes or their interaction with environment did not influence this character.

Breeding for cocoa resistance to VSD is the main goal in breeding program in Indonesia. Research for selection criteria on cocoa (Theobroma cacaoL.) resistance to vascular-streak dieback (VSD) has being carried out by exploring leaf stomatal characteristics corresponding to VSD damages. This research had objectives to select best crosses by observing the estimated value of heterosis and heterobeltiosis on F1 hybrid populations based on leaf stomata characteristics related to VSD resistance. Trial was established at Kaliwining Experimental Station of Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI) in a VSD endemic area. Treatments consisted of 5 F1 hybrid populations generated by biparental crosses of TSH 858(S) x Sulawesi 1 (R), TSH 858 (S) x KEE 2 (R), TSH 858 (S) x Sulawesi 3 (R), Sca 6 (R) x KW 264 (S) and KW 617 (R) x KW 264 (S). Each cross consisted of 100-300 genotypes planted in high planting density of 0.5 m x 0.5 m. The resistance was evaluated by scoring the plant damage in the scale of 0-3 at three years after planting. Stomata characteristics were assessed microscopically based on the variables of density, length, width and diameter of stomata and width of opening stomata. Analysis of correlation indicated that most of stomatal charac-teristicssignificantly correlated to VSD damage but the width of opening stomata performedthe highest coefficient of correlation (r = 0.49) and contributed to VSD damage (0.45). Meanwhile, path analysis indicated higher value of the char-acteristics performed less resistance of the tested hybrids, KW 617 x KW 264 showed lower value of heterosis and heterobeltiosis for the characteristics which of the best crosses for generating VSD-resistant genotype.

The increasing chocolate consumption has not been followed by growing production of dry cocoa beans. In order to support the increase in cocoa production, planting materials with high yield are needed. The objective of this research was to determine the components of cocoa traits affecting weight of dry cocoa beans, and set a selection index for superior cocoa trees. The experiment material were four cocoa hybrid populations of which their family ancestry were unknown, and were planted on Samigaluh Plantation, Yogyakarta, and Segayung Plantation, Central Java. Observations and data collection were conducted on four plant populations. The observations were undertaken for three years, by observing plant traits, including pod length, pod diameter, husk thickness, cavity diameter, pod fresh weight, cocoa bean/pod fresh weight, husk fresh weight, dry weight of cocoa beans/pod, number of cocoa beans/pod, dry weight per cocoa bean. The collected data were analyzed using path and regression analysis methods. The results showed that pod diameter (X4), fresh pod weight (X5), number of cocoa beans/pod (X8), and dry weight/cocoa bean (X9) were used to form a selection index resulting the equation I = 0.0792 X4 + 0.1330 X5 + 0.0106 X8 + 0.1349 X9 furthermore will be used in the selection of cocoa trees. Ten cocoa plants from seeds having the highest general selection index were D 034, D 003, D 015, A 054, D 004, D 033, D 041, A 157, D 036, and D 025 will be selected for further evaluation.