Location: Sustainable Perennial Crops Laboratory
2022 Annual Report
Accomplishments
1. Resequencing of fungal pathogens of Theobroma cacao. Pathogen genome sequencing provided valuable information on the genetic diversity of the pathogen and the basis of disease virulence which is used to support and improve cacao breeding programs. In collaboration with scientists from the University of California, Davis, and MARS Incorporated, ARS scientists in Beltsville, Maryland, have analysis 97 genomes for cacao pathogens that cause black pod, witches’ broom and frosty pod diseases of cacao (24 genomes of Phytophthora palmivora, 22 genomes of P. megakarya, 23 genomes of Moniliophthora roreri and 28 genomes of M. perniciosa). These genomes and their analysis have allowed full lengthen genome assemblages for M. roreri and M. perniciosa. As a result, we are continuing to evaluate the evolution of these 2 Moniliophthora species, the primary pathogens of cacao in its center of origin. The methods developed here allowed for rapidly sequencing of the genome of Phytophthora theobromae, a new species causing black pod rot of cacao in Brazil that was recently identified in 2020-2021. This information will be used by cacao researchers, and plant breeders, around the world, to improve cacao plant breeding improvement programs and to develop disease control methods.
Review Publications
Barauh, I., Ali, S., Shao, J.Y., Lary, D., Bailey, B.A. 2022. Identification of cacao genes responsive to P. palmivora infection in resistant and susceptible cacao clones. Frontiers in Plant Science. 12:780805. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.780805.
Ali, S., Amoako-Attah, I., Shao, J.Y., Meinhardt, L.W., Bailey, B.A. 2021. Mitochondrial genomics of six cacao pathogens from the basidiomycete family Marasmiaceae. Frontiers in Microbiology. 12:752094. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.752094.
