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Cherelle Wilt of Cacao: A Physiological Condition

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Cacao Diseases

Abstract

Cacao beans are produced in pods (fruits) of the trees of Theobroma cacao L. Cacao pods are produced after pollination of the small cauliflorous flowers covering the branches and trunk of the tree. Despite abundant flowering, only 0.5–5 % of cacao flowers become pollinated. Pollinated flowers then develop into immature pods, commonly known as cherelles. Despite abundant flowers and pod set of trees, few cherelles develop into mature pods. Up to 75 % of cherelles are lost to a thinning condition known as cherelle wilt. Additionally, cherelles can be lost at an early stage to insect, stramenopile, and fungal pests. This chapter will discuss the physiological changes in young fruit that cause cherelle wilt, as well as the physiological changes induced in pods caused by cherelle wilt. Lastly, the chapter will discuss whether there is a clear link between cherelle wilt and frosty pod rot caused by Moniliophthora roreri.

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Acknowledgments

Work was funded by USDA ARS. References to a company and/or product by the USDA are only for the purposes of information and do not imply approval or recommendation of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Global Climate Change, Institute of Bioenergy, Climate and Environment, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Stop 2210, Washington, DC, 20250, USA

    Rachel L. Melnick

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  1. Rachel L. Melnick
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Correspondence to Rachel L. Melnick .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. USDA/ARS, Sustainable Perennial Crops Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland, USA

    Bryan A. Bailey

  2. USDA/ARS, Sustainable Perennial Crops Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland, USA

    Lyndel W. Meinhardt

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Melnick, R.L. (2016). Cherelle Wilt of Cacao: A Physiological Condition. In: Bailey, B., Meinhardt, L. (eds) Cacao Diseases. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24789-2_15

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