Cocoa Genetics
There is an urgent demand for robust and cost-effective solutions to reduce bean cadmium content via changes in production systems, such as the use of low cadmium accumulating cultivars or rootstock.
Clima-LoCa evaluates in the field, commercial clones for their ability to accumulate cadmium in the beans. These commercial clones, as well as promising clones, are under validation for future release to farmers.
Also, Heavy metals influence water delivery to the shoot of plants, which can lead to decrease cocoa production and this effect may become more prominent under climate change. Therefore, it’s necessary to obtain scientist information to analyze the vulnerability of the cacao plant to cadmium with respect to water deficit.
Is important to determine the viability of the propagation of promising genotypes under the conditions of the farmer fields, involving the participation of the farmer associations of each country.
For this reason, the genetic component focuses on:
Act 1.2
Survey and assessment of commercial clones for level of cadmium in cocoa beans
Act 2.2
Identify and test promising cocoa genotypes for low cadmium accumulation and drought tolerance and study underlying interactions, mechanisms
Act 3.2
Pilot budding techniques to reduce cadmium accumulation in cocoa beans on smallholder farms
News
Knowing some of the implementation activities of the genetics component
The use of cultivars or grafts that can provide a solution to the cadmium problem is one of the alternatives being evaluated in one of the components of the Clima-LoCa project. Thus, the genetics component is being implemented by regional and international...
Clima-LoCa stands out at the 16th International Cocoa and Chocolate Show in Lima
The 16th International Cocoa and Chocolate Show, held in Lima, Peru, established itself this year as the most important meeting point for producers, exporters, researchers, and lovers of Peruvian cocoa. At the event, organized by various private and public entities...
Clima-LoCa strengthens cocoa production in Colombia: participatory workshops promote sustainable cadmium management in Arauca, Quindío, and Antioquia
The Clima-LoCa project continues to strengthen its work with cocoa-producing communities in Colombia through a series of workshops where the results of cadmium mapping carried out using samples taken directly from cocoa farms are shared. In recent weeks, meetings have...
The European Union promotes cocoa sustainability and cadmium reduction in the region with the Clima-LoCa and CREA projects
With the aim of promoting sustainable practices in cocoa production and mitigating the presence of cadmium (Cd), the CREA and Clima Lo-Ca projects, funded by the European Union, organized the technical workshop “Cadmium Mitigation Results and Strategies and Progress...