Location: Tropical Plant Genetic Resources and Disease Research
Project Number: 2040-21000-018-003-T
Project Type: Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Apr 1, 2020
End Date: Mar 31, 2025
Objective:
The primary goal of this project is to develop and disseminate new, productive,
disease and pest resistant cultivars of cacao, to provide germplasm maintenance,
and to conduct research on cacao diseases and insect pests. Research performed in
plant pathology, entomology and practical field selection are all part of a global
strategy to develop superior planting material for farmers.
This project has two (2) specific goals:
1. Maintain, enhance and evaluate the germplasm collection of cacao and relatives
maintained at Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and Hilo, Hawaii.
2. Conduct cacao performance trials to evaluate newly released clones in farmers'
fields in Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Approach:
Maintain, enhance and evaluate the germplasm collection of cacao and relatives
maintained at Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and Hilo, Hawaii. Conduct cacao performance
trials to evaluate horticultural traits and cacao quality of newly released clones
in farmers' fields in Hawaii.
