The present study was implemented in the localities of Buyo, Duekoué and Gueyo in western Côte d'Ivoire, in agroforestry systems combining cocoa trees with Irvingia gabonensis. The aim was to improve cocoa production in Côte d'Ivoire through the association to Irvingia gabonensis, in order to achieve sustainable production. To reach this goal, a design of 10 and 20 m radii was set up around the Irvingia gabonensis species, in which diameter, height, morphological characteristics of fruits and seeds, biomass and carbon stock were assessed. The results revealed a homogeneity of I. gabonensis morphological characters as well as fruit production, biomass and carbon stock in all localities, with the exception of height. The vigour and pod yield of cocoa trees in the vicinity of the species was reduced, given the low cocoa density observed in its surroundings. Its presence in cocoa plantations increases biomass production and carbon stock. I. gabonensis stabilizes the rate of rotted and gnawed pods. I. gabonensis could therefore be integrated into agroforestry plots, provided that the cocoa density around it is reduced to minimize its impact on cocoa vigor and yield.

Keywords: Cocoa, Irvingia gabonensis, Agroforestry, sustainable system.