The Genetic Diversity of Cacao and its Utilization

The Genetic Diversity of Cacao and its Utilization

Readership
Plant genetics and breeding, botany, cocoa and the chocolate industry

Key Features
• Discusses the procedures for collecting and conserving the diversity of Cacao
• The only comprehensive treatment of the subject
• 32 pages of colour plates

Main Description
The cacao (Theobroma cacao) plant is an important Neo-Tropical species whose natural habitat is the Amazon basin. Over the last 30 years there has been a considerable geographical expansion in the availability of cacao genetic resources. As a result the plant has a rich genetic diversity that exists at two levels: that of the primitive populations in the area of original distribution of the species, and that of the derived cultivated populations.
This book provides a comprehensive review of our current knowledge of the diversity of the species. It starts by examining the diversity and inheritance of the characteristics of primitive populations in the Amazonian and Caribbean regions. It then looks at the evolution of diversity within cultivated populations first in South America and around the Caribbean, and then beyond the Americas. The book describes the inter-relationships between populations based on morphological and molecular markers. It also examines the conservation of genetic resources and how these genetic resources can be utilized to produce new cultivars.

Reviews
• "This is an indispensable reference book for all who have an interest in the genetic resources of cocoa. The greatest tribute is to the author for the half-century of research and many months of writing that went into this work."
Rob Lockwood, Experimental Agriculture
• "This book will no doubt be the reference text for anyone working in Cacao breeding. Coupled with the clarity of presentation and the wealth of knowledge found within, this authoritatively written study of the issues surrounding crop improvement and maintenance of the species' biodiversity should also be of interest to graduate and advanced undergraduate students in botay, conservation and related fields."
David Tabah, Biologist, 53(3), June 2006
• "Dr Bartley and the BCCCA have done a fine job in capturing his unique knowledge for the benefit of today's and tomorrow's cocoa scientists and above all the resource-poor farmers who depend on the crop.
Tropical Agriculture Association Newsletter, December 2005

Main Contents
• Foreword, Tony Lass
• The Background to the Subject: Concepts and a Brief History
• The Terminology Specific to Cacao
• The Indicators of Variability
• The Manifestation of the Diversity and its Conservation
• The Foundations of the Diversity
The Amazonian Region
The Circum-Caribbean Region
• The Cultivated Populations as Secondary Depositories of the Diversity
Introduction
Part 1: South America - Populations Derived from an Amazonian Region Germplasm Base
Part 2: The Circum-Caribbean Region and Neighbouring Territories Populations that Evolved from a Criollo Germplasm Base
Part 3: Cacao Beyond the Americas - The Export
• The Genetics of the Diversity
• The Relationships among Populations
• The Utilization of the Genetic Resources
• Epilogue - Final Remarks