Dec 06, 2019

Novel way to ID disease-resistance genes in chocolate-producing trees found

Chocolate-producing cacao trees that are resistant to a major pathogen were identified by an international team of plant geneticists. The findings point the way for plant breeders to develop trees that are tolerant of the disease.

The researchers measured the susceptibility of 60 genetically diverse genotypes of cacao to Phytophthora palmivora — a major cacao pathogen with global importance — by first collecting leaf samples from cacao trees at the International Cocoa Collection (known as CATIE), in Turrialba, Costa Rica. IMAGE: PENN STATE