Brazil: The Executive Committee of the Cocoa Crop Plan starts testing cocoa clones abroad to combat moniliasis

To protect national cocoa production against the threat of moniliasis, the Executive Committee of the Cocoa Crop Plan (Ceplac) sent cocoa clones for testing in areas with a high incidence of the disease in Ecuador and Costa Rica. In partnership with the National Institute of Agricultural Research of Ecuador (Iniap) and the Agronomic Center for Tropical Research and Education of Costa Rica (Catie), the initiative is part of a broad research program aimed at reducing the potential impacts of moniliasis in Brazil. The 128 clones, developed by Ceplac over the past 15 years, involve material resistant to moniliasis and other diseases, with genetic origins in Ecuador, Costa Rica, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago. Before being sent for testing, the clones underwent a rigorous five-year quarantine process at the National Center for Genetic Resources (Cenargem), of Embrapa, to ensure agricultural safety. Moniliasis, one of the most serious diseases affecting cocoa trees, is already affecting ...