Elain Apshara, S.Vivek R. BhatVelayudhan Nair, R.2014-06-052014-06-052008Journal of Plantation Crops, 2008, 36(1):38-44http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2397Hybridization work in cocoa conducted at Central Plantation Crops Research Institute during 1983-1997 has yielded many progenies of selected crosses. The field evaluation of those selected progenies carried out in discrete experiments under different environments and progeny trials resulted in certain best performing lines. They were evaluated for their performance in arecanut garden under uniform conditions in their initial years of growth. Assessment of growth and vigour of the hybrids with morphological observations, pod yield and bean characteristics was done to confirm the production potential of 21 selected elite progenies. The hybrids PII- 5, PII- 3, PIII-I-23 and PI-IV-478 were vigorous with sturdy stem and well spread canopies. Early bearing from second year of growth was observed in the hybrids PIII-II-89, PI-IV-478, PI-I-18 and PI-I-38. The hybrids PI-IV-478, PI-I-38, PIII-I-23, PIII-II-54 and PI-I-18 showed high pod yield potential with an annual yield of more than 50 pods per tree per year at the age of six years. Individual pod characteristics like size, husk to bean ratio, total pod weight recorded significant difference among hybrids. Bean parameters especially wet to dry bean ratio, shelling and recovery percentage and single dry bean weight were also studied to assess the suitability of the hybrids for the industries.enclonescocoahybridsprogeniesArticle