Study of Micro-Meteorological Conditions Within Cocoa Plantations in Ondo State

Cocoa cultivation in Southwest Nigeria occupies a distinct micro-meteorological environment shaped by canopy shading, soil moisture dynamics, and modified air circulation patterns that differ meaningfully from ambient conditions. This study examines micro-meteorological conditions within selected cocoa plantations in Ondo State, comparing temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation within plantation interiors to open-field reference conditions during both wet and dry seasons. Continuous measurements were collected using portable automatic weather stations deployed inside three plantation sites in Ile-Oluji and Akure South LGAs over a six-month observation period in 2023. Open-field reference data from a nearby NiMet station served as comparative baseline. Results show that plantation interiors maintain daytime temperatures between 2.5 and 3.8 degrees Celsius lower than open-field conditions, while relative humidity averages 12 percent higher. Solar radiation attenuation under cocoa canopy ranges from 55 to 74 percent depending on shade-tree density. Micro-meteorological analysis reveals that excessively dense shade-tree configurations create conditions favorable for fungal disease incidence, particularly black pod disease, by elevating nighttime relative humidity above 95 percent. The study recommends shade management guidelines that optimize the balance between canopy cooling benefits and humidity-related disease risk. Keywords: micro-meteorology, cocoa, Ondo State, shade management, black pod disease.