Photosynthetic response of Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) to El Niño Southern-Oscillation associated heat stress under climate variability scenarios
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Abstract
The increasing climate variability associated with phenomena such as El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) represents a growing risk for temperature-sensitive perennial tropical crops such as cacao (Theobroma cacao L.). This study aimed to analyze the photosynthetic response of cacao to thermal variation associated with El Niño, relating ambient temperature to photosynthetic activity and crop yield, in order to assess its thermal vulnerability from a physiological approach. Methodologically, a quantitative analytical study was conducted based on the integration of scientific literature and available climatic and productive records, organizing the information into tables and graphs according to reported temperature ranges and their correspondence with photosynthetic response, photosystem II functioning, and yield. Results showed a nonlinear response that varied depending on the physiological process evaluated: stomatal conductance was favored between 20-30 °C, photosystem II efficiency peaked between 24.1-25.6 °C, and CO2 assimilation was optimized between 30-33 °C, while above 30 °C physiological vulnerability increased depending on radiation, vapor pressure deficit, and genotype. It is concluded that the photosynthetic risk associated with El Niño depends on the coincidence of multiple environmental variables rather than a single thermal threshold.
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