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The status of cacao (Theobroma cacao, sterculiaceae) in the western hemisphere

El estado del mejoramiento de cacao (Theobroma cacao, Sterculiaceae) en el hemisferio occidental

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Abstract

There are, at the present time, effectively no long-range, ongoing programs in any tropical country of the western hemisphere dedicated to the improvement of cacao (Theobroma cacao, Sterculiaceae). While some effort is currently made to obtain new acquisitions of cacao cultivars exhibiting desirable characteristics and to maintain genepools of these trees, there are few data from field trials to prove and substantiate these qualities. In addition, there is a growing concern regarding the disparities between predicted yields of cacao trees through the use of “hybrid” seed and from actual production under field conditions. This has stimulated an awareness of the current inadequate understanding of the genetics of cacao and the lack of comprehension as to which cultivars, under distinct ecological conditions, are precocious, resistant to disease, or heavy bearing, or indeed demonstrate those traits vital to the success of farming programs adapted to today’s market conditions.

This paper examines the events that have led to the current status of selection, development, and breeding of cacao. Alternative approaches are suggested.

Résumé

En la actualidad no existe en el nuevo mundo ningún proyecto de largo plazo dedicado al mejoramiento del cacao (Theobroma cacao, Sterculiaceae). Mientras se han realizado algunos esfuerzos dirigidos al mantenamiento de colecciones y adquisiciones de variedades de cacao que muestran características deseables, hay pocos datos reales para confirmar dichas cualidades. Mas aún, la preocupación esta aumentando acerca de la discrepancia entre productión real y lo pronosticado para arboles procedentes de semillas “hibridas” de cacao. Lo anterior ha estimulado incertidumbre sobre el conocimiento de la genética del cacao y la falta de entendimiento sobre qué clones, bajo de regímenes ecológicos distintos, son precoces, denen resistencia contra enfermedades, y alta productión, o muestran aquellas características vitales para el éxito de programas agrícolas adaptados para el mercado corriente.

Este trabajo examina la manera en que estas deficiencias en selectión, desarrollo, y mejoramiento de cacao han ocurrido. Se sugieren alternativas a la situation actual.

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  1. Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, 53706, Madison, WI

    J. Robert Hunter

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Hunter, J.R. The status of cacao (Theobroma cacao, sterculiaceae) in the western hemisphere. Econ Bot 44, 425–439 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02859775

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