The main purpose of the overview presented in this book is to provide the international community with knowledge and tools that can be used to breed cocoa trees with greater resistance to Phytophthora. It covers pathogen diversity, epidemiological knowledge, the genetic parameters of resistance observed in the field, and practical breeding aspects. The relevance of different screening tests involving artificial inoculations and the use of molecular markers for the selection of resistant material are widely covered.
The fourth edition of this highly regarded book has been considerably enlarged to cover all aspects of cocoa production. Higher prices for cocoa have led to much new knowledge about the plant and changes to its methods of production. These are discussed, along with new problems that have occurred and the fresh research projects that have been needed.
This book begins with an account of the early history of Phytophthora research and the tumultuous events setting the genus in motion. In keeping with its controversial inception, the chapter on taxonomy and phylogeny makes a compelling case that our current notion of Phytophthora as a genus is illusory. This chapter sets the stage for the importance of molecular tools on these enigmatic pathogens. The following chapters discuss species identification, population-level investigation, interspecific hybrids and the impact of diverse Phytophthora species on crops, forests, nurseries, greenhouses and natural areas worldwide.
This book reviews the current state of knowledge concerning cacao pathogens and methods for their management. Topics discussed include the history, biology and genetic diversity of Moniliophthora species (which cause witches’ broom and frosty pod rot) and Phytophthora species (which cause black pod rot) that cause diseases resulting in major losses to cacao production. Emerging pathogens such as Cacao swollen shoot virus and Ceratobasidium theobromae (which causes vascular streak dieback) are also discussed in detail, along with many pathogens of significant local concern. Most of these pathogens represent major risks to global cacao production should they expand into new areas, breaking out of their current limited distributions. By considering cacao diseases as a group, similarities in the available tools and techniques used in their management become apparent, as do their limitations. Gaps in our current knowledge of cacao pathogens and the management of the diseases they cause are detailed, and suggestions for future research directions are provided. This insight allows readers to consider cacao disease threats from a more comprehensive, global perspective and paves the way for an improved synergy of efforts between the various research programs, agencies, and industries, both private and public, with vested interests in cacao production, and cacao farmers.
The cocoa tree: agronomic aspects. History up to 1930 of Black Pod and other Cocoa Diseases caused by Phytophthora palmivora. Problems of experimentation with cocoa trees. Physiology of the fungus. The disease on roots...
Forest Microbiology: Tree Diseases and Pests, Volume Three in the Forest Microbiology series, provides an overview of major disease agents of trees, including viruses, phytoplasma, bacteria, fungi, nematodes and major insect pests. With a strong emphasis on genetics, biochemistry, physiology, evolutionary biology and population dynamics of the organisms involved, this book provides a comprehensive understanding on the health of forests. Sections cover important pest threats such as bark beetles, emerald ash borer, coffee borers, leaf cutting ants, cocoa mirids, and more. This volume highlights a range of emerging diseases of forest trees in temperate and tropic regions as well as information on habitats. Forest trees play crucial roles not only for mitigating effects of the climate change but also for their considerable economic and ecological value. Forest trees are equally vital as an alternative bioenergy source and play important roles in pollution abatement and the maintenance of biodiversity. Timber and its associated products from forest trees contribute substantially to the revenue generation of many countries of the world. - Includes case studies of complex diseases of economically important trees - Highlights novel approaches to managing tree pests and diseases in a changing climate - Focuses on the many functions of microbial disease agents of trees - Addresses major insect pests of boreal, temperate and tropical trees
Almost five million tonnes of cocoa produced annually drives the US$100 billion global chocolate industry. To sustain the industry, cacao planting materials (seeds and clones) have been successfully moved from the Amazon forests in America to the humid tropical forests of Africa, Asia, and Australia. In more than 150 years of commercial cacao cultivation, smallholder farmers that supply the bulk of cocoa beans still face several production constraints that impede their efficiency. Scientific technologies have therefore been deployed to remove these constraints by ensuring a continuous supply of good quality cocoa beans to meet growing global demand. This book provides insight into these scientific advances to address these current and emerging problems and to assure the sustainability of the global cocoa industry.
