Response of Forty (40) High-Producing Cacao Genotypes to Cacao Swollen Shoot Disease
Caudou I. Trebissou *
Cocoa Tree Genetic Improvement Laboratory, National Centre for Agronomic Research (CNRA), B.P. 808, Divo, Côte d’Ivoire and Biotechnology, Agriculture and Valorisation of Biological Resources Department, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.
Roméo K. N’Guessan
Agricultural Production Improvement Department, Jean Lorougnon Guede University BP 150 Daloa, Côte d'Ivoire.
Mathias G. Tahi
Biotechnology, Agriculture and Valorisation of Biological Resources Department, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.
Sékou Aïdara
Coffee Entomology Laboratory, National Centre for Agronomic Research (CNRA), B.P. 808, Divo, Côte d’Ivoire.
Sélastique D. Akaffou
Agricultural Production Improvement Department, Jean Lorougnon Guede University BP 150 Daloa, Côte d'Ivoire.
Simon-Pierre A. N’Guetta
Biotechnology, Agriculture and Valorisation of Biological Resources Department, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: Cocoa swollen shoot is a dreaded viral disease that is prevalent in the producing areas of West Africa. In Côte d'Ivoire, it undermines the sustainability of cocoa farming. Integrated pest management based on the use of disease-resistant or disease-tolerant plant material remains a sustainable solution.
Place and Duration of Study: Integrated Pest Management Unit against Cocoa swollen shoot, Experimental greenhouse of Bouaflé, National Centre for Agronomic Research (CNRA).
Methodology: Forty elite genotypes of cocoa trees selected from different populations in the Reciprocal Recurrent Selection program of Cocoa in Côte d'Ivoire were evaluated against strain D of Cacao Swollen Shoot Virus (CSSV). Five seedlings of each genotype were infected by patch grafting and observed for 5 months.
Study Design: Plants are placed in a greenhouse in a completely random arrangement, with five repetitions.
Results: Three cocoa genotypes (C77, C87 and C96) were free of disease symptoms and eight genotypes (C77, C87, C96, C3, C12, C26, C53 and C98) had the lowest infection scores. The disease significantly affected plant development and growth.
Conclusion: Some genotypes selected within the Reciprocal Recurrent Selection program are promising for breeding against CSSV disease. These eight genotypes will be tested in a field environment to confirm their tolerance.
Keywords: Reciprocal recurrent selection, Theobroma cacao, CSSV, patch grafting, cacao breeding