Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Frederick, Maryland » Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #412438
Research Project: Biology, Epidemiology, and Detection of Emerging Plant Pathogenic Oomycetes

Location: Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research

Title: Alternative hosts of cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV)

Author
item Puig, Alina
item MEDINA, VIVIANA - Vmr Consulting
item Keith, Lisa

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/31/2024
Publication Date: 3/27/2025
Citation: Puig, A.S., Medina, V., Keith, L.M. 2025. Alternative hosts of cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV). American Phytopathological Society. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-114-12-S2.56.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-114-12-S2.56

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV), a member of the Badnavirus genus (family: Caulimoviridae) is considered an emerging disease on Theobroma cacao. It is associated with branch dieback and has been reported to reduce yield. As there is no treatment for infected plants, preventing transmission and removing inoculum reservoirs are the most effective strategies. However, information on alternative hosts of the pathogen is needed to support management efforts. To address this, plants in the Malvaceae family growing near CaMMV-infected cacao were sampled and tested for the presence of the virus. Numerous plants tested positive including widely grown ornamental and fruit trees such as Pavonia sp., Hibiscus sp., Thespesia grandiflora, and Durian. Alternative hosts contribute to disease spread by serving as inoculum reservoirs in areas where the virus is present, and could initiate infections if mealybugs moved from these infected hosts to newly established farms. Genetic diversity of CaMMV in alternative hosts will also be discussed.