Abstract
Cocos is well-known as a cash crop across the world for its beans. Its fruit weight influences both the internal and external characteristics of the pod. The objective of this study was to study the physical properties of pods and beans under Gazipur conditions of Bangladesh and observe the effect of fruit size on the physical attributes of cocoa pods and beans. Pods are developed and mature in a plant from July to December 2025. Pods were harvested on 15 December 2025 at the optimum maturity stage when the colour turned green to yellow. All the harvested pods were weighted by a digital balance and categorized as a treatment into six groups considering weight range. Groups were A (>375 to 400g), B (>350 to 375g), C (>325 to 350g), D (>300 to 325g), E (>275 to 300g) and F (>250 to 275g). The study revealed that pod categories based on weight significantly affected hush weight, mucilaginous pulp with seed weight, seed number per pod, seed dry weight per pod, individual seed dry weight, pod length, pod diameter and roasted bean weight per pod. All the studied values were found higher in the larger fruit weight category (>375 to 400g) and gradually decreased up to the smaller fruit weight category (>250 to 275g) that is produced in the local environment of Gazipur district of Bangladesh. Pod length and diameter ratios were found more or less similar except for the larger fruit weight category (>375 to 400g). Pod size has an influence on the number of beans in a pod as well as the weight of cocoa beans. The highest bean number per pod (46.00) and dry bean weight per pod (35.55g) were found in the highest fruit weight, category A (>375 to 400g), but the lowest number of beans per pod (36.75) and dry bean weight per pod (27.99g) were found in F category fruits weight (>250 to 275g). The number of beans and the total weight of the dry beans per pod was found to be higher in the larger fruit weight category (>350g). The highest individual sun-dry bean weight (0.77g) was found in the larger fruit size category A. Sun-dry and roasted bean recovery rate (%) was found higher in the small fruit compared to larger ones. The measured physical properties of grown pods and beans of an eight-year-old plant in the local environment are at a satisfactory minimum level considering major cocoa-growing countries. In conclusion, to obtain individual high bean weight and bean numbers as well as desired physical attributes, selection of large pods of cocoa should be highly recommendable. On the other hand, grading cocoa pods based on size after harvest is better to obtain similarity in bean’s size.
Keywords: Cocoa cultivation; Fruit size; Quality bean; Bangladesh.
