Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mayaguez, Puerto Rico » Tropical Crops and Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #426578
Research Project: Conservation and Utilization of Tropical and Subtropical Fruit, Cacao, Coffee, and Bamboo Germplasm and Associated Descriptive Information

Location: Tropical Crops and Germplasm Research

Title: Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) infection of cacao (Theobroma cacao) plants in Puerto Rico does not impact yield

Author
item Goenaga, Ricardo
item BROWN, JUDITH - University Of Arizona
item Rodriguez-Rivera, Jose
item Serrato Diaz, Luz

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/13/2025
Publication Date: 7/16/2025
Citation: Goenaga, R.J., Brown, J.K., Rodriguez-Rivera, J.L., Serrato Diaz, L.M. 2025. Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) infection of cacao (Theobroma cacao) plants in Puerto Rico does not impact yield. HortScience. 60(8):1329-1332. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18746-25.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18746-25

Interpretive Summary: It is estimated that diseases in cacao production cause losses of potential crop amounting to 43% in America, 20% in Africa, 13% in Oceania, and 9% in Asia. To satisfy future global demand for cacao products and reduce crop losses, research is needed to develop and/or identify superior cacao genotypes possessing disease tolerance and high yielding traits. Cacao Mild Mosaic Virus (CaMMV) has emerged as a new pathogen affecting cacao commercial orchards and impacting quarantine operations. Little is known about the effect CaMMV has on production of cacao. Eight cacao genotypes were grown on an Ultisol soil at Corozal, Puerto Rico, and evaluated for 2 years of production under intensive management to determine their response to CaMMV infection. Despite widespread CaMMV infection (average 80% across experimental trees), yields remained exceptionally high, with top-performing genotypes like ‘TARS-9’ and ‘SHRS-7’ achieving over 5000 kg·ha–1 of dry beans annually. Most importantly, these findings highlight that CaMMV does not adversely affect cacao yields when the crop is grown under intensive management practices.

Technical Abstract: Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV), a member of the Badnavirus genus, has emerged as a prevalent virus in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) trees in the Caribbean region, Central America, some cacao-producing locations in South America, and Indonesia. Eight cacao genotypes were grown on an Ultisol soil at Corozal, Puerto Rico, and evaluated for 2 years of production under intensive management to determine their response to CaMMV infection. Results showed significant varietal effects (P < 0.01) on key parameters, including number of pods, dry bean yield, and pod index. The year and the genotype x year interaction did not show a significant effect except for pod index. Virus infection among experimental trees averaged 80%, ranging from 73.3% to 100% across genotypes. ‘TARS-9’ was the highest producer with 5544 kg·ha–1 per year dry beans, followed by ‘SHRS-7’ (5002 kg·ha–1). Despite high CaMMV infection, yield levels were remarkably high, indicating no adverse impact on production. This study marks the first formal report of extraordinary cacao yields reaching 5500 kg·ha–1 per year.