Disease Threatens to Devastate Global Cocoa Supply

With the recent release of the draft of cacao's genome, scientists are doubling their efforts to complete the genome and use it to prevent the spread of two virulent pathogens that cause witch's broom and frosty pod. These pathogens are feared by West Africa cocoa producers, where 70 percent of the crops is currently produced. Cacao trees in West Africa have no resistance to these pathogens that form spores which can easily spread through the wind. According to scientists, a few contaminated pods could lead to the devastation of one third of the world's cocoa production.

Artificial pollination of naturally resistant plants with cultivated cacao is one of the solutions to this problem. However, this is a slow process. But if the genome sequence would be completed, scientists could identify sections of the DNA that confer increased resistance and choose the best trees to breed. "It's expensive work," says University of Florida plant pathologist Randy C. Ploetz, "but once you have a genetic sequence, it makes that work a lot easier."

While waiting for these results, producers in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana have implemented stringent quarantine procedures to help protect their crops.

Read more at http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=death-and-chocolate.