19 research outputs found
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Farmersâ perceptions of the effectiveness of the Cocoa Disease and Pest Control Programme (CODAPEC) in Ghana and its effects on poverty reduction
The study examined the contribution of the Cocoa Disease and Pest Control Programme (CODAPEC), which is a cocoa production-enhancing government policy, to reducing poverty and raising the living standards of cocoa farmers in Ghana. One hundred and fifty (150) cocoa farmers were randomly selected from five communities in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai district of the Western Region of Ghana and interviewed using structured questionnaires. Just over half of the farmers (53%) perceived the CODAPEC programme as being effective in controlling pests and diseases, whilst 56.6% felt that their yields and hence livelihoods had improved. In some cases pesticides or fungicides were applied later in the season than recommended and this had a detrimental effect on yields. To determine the level of poverty amongst farmers, annual household consumption expenditure was used as a proxy indicator. The study found that 4.7% of cocoa farmers were extremely poor having a total annual household consumption expenditure of less than GHÂą 623.10 (398.81). An amount of money ranging from GHÂą 20.00 (44.29) per annum was needed to lift the 4.7% of cocoa farmers out of extreme poverty, which could be achieved through modest increases in productivity. The study highlighted how agricultural intervention programmes, such as CODAPEC, have the potential to contribute to improved farmer livelihoods
Technical Guidelines for the Safe Movement of Cacao Germplasm. Revised from the FAO/IPGRI Technical Guidelines No. 20 (Fourth Update 2021)
The CacaoNet Technical Guidelines for the Safe Movement of Cacao Germplasm provide updated information on the precautions and quarantine measures that can be taken to minimise the risk of spread of pests and diseases when cacao genetic resources are being moved for research, crop improvement, plant breeding, exploration or conservation. These Guidelines are based on those last published by FAO/IPGRI in 1999 but have been revised and expanded by a group of experts set up within CacaoNet (the Global Cacao Genetic Resources Network coordinated by Bioversity International), to take account of new knowledge of the pests and diseases, including their current distribution, and advances in detection techniques. These CacaoNet Guidelines were first published on-line in 2012 but have been revised in 2014, in 2017 and now in 2021 to take account of new information received.
The document includes general advice regarding safe procedures to use when moving cacao germplasm, whether as seed, vegetative and tissue cultured materials, and summarised information on the geographical spread and risks posed by significant pests and diseases of cacao. In addition, experts have contributed sections giving detailed information on the following: Virus diseases (Cacao necrosis virus, Cacao swollen shoot virus (CSSV), Cacao Yellow mosaic virus), Fungal diseases (Witchesâ broom disease, Moniliophthora pod rot, Phytophthora pod rot, Vascular streak die-back, Verticillium wilt, Ceratocystis wilt, Rosellinia root rot), Insect pests (Cocoa pod borer, mirids/capsids, mosquito bug, other insect pests) and nematodes. Each section contains information on physical symptoms, geographical distribution, biology of the pest or disease and recommended quarantine measures.
The publication of these Guidelines has been supported by financial and in-kind contributions from Bioversity International, the CGIAR Research Programme on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry, the Cocoa Research Association Ltd., UK (CRA Ltd., a UK-based organization managing scientific cocoa research on behalf of Mars MondelÄz International and the London Cocoa Trade NYSE-Liffe) and the University of Reading. CacaoNet has received additional financial support from Mars, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA/ARS) and the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF)
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Knowledge and perception of Ghanaian cocoa farmers on mirid control and their willingness to use forecasting systems
Annual losses of cocoa in Ghana to mirids are significant. Therefore, accurate timing of insecticide application is critical to enhance yields. However, cocoa farmers often lack information on the expected mirid population for each season to enable them to optimise pesticide use. This study assessed farmersâ knowledge and perceptions of mirid control and their willingness to use forecasting systems informing them of expected mirid peaks and time of application of pesticides. A total of 280 farmers were interviewed in the Eastern and Ashanti regions of Ghana with a structured open and closed ended questionnaire. Most farmers (87%) considered mirids as the most important insect pest on cocoa with 47% of them attributing 30-40% annual crop loss to mirid damage. There was wide variation in the timing of insecticide application as a result of farmers using different sources of information to guide the start of application. The majority of farmers (56%) do not have access to information on the type, frequency and timing of insecticides to use. However, respondents who are members of farmer groups had better access to such information. Extension officers were the preferred channel for information transfer to farmers with 72% of farmers preferring them to other available methods of communication. Almost all the respondents (99%) saw the need for a comprehensive forecasting system to help farmers manage cocoa mirids. The importance of accurate timing for mirid control based on forecasted information to farmer groups and extension officers was discussed
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Climate change impacts on cacao: genotypic variation in responses of mature cacao to elevated CO2 and water deficit
Climate change poses a significant threat to agricultural production in the tropics, yet
relatively little research has been carried out to understand its impact on mature tropical tree
crops. This research aims to understand the genotypic variation in growth and photosynthesis
in mature cacao trees in response to elevated CO2 and water deficit. Six genotypes were grown
under greenhouse conditions at ambient (ca. 437 ppm) and elevated CO2
(ca. 724 ppm) and under
well-watered and water deficit conditions for 23 months. Leaf- and canopy-level photosynthesis,
water-use efficiency, and vegetative growth increased significantly in response to elevated CO2
. Water
deficit had a significant negative effect on many photosynthetic parameters and significantly reduced
biomass production. The negative effect of water deficit on quantum efficiency was alleviated
by elevated CO2
. Genotypic variation was observed in several parameters including stomatal
conductance, stomatal density and index, quantum efficiency, and biomass production, indicating
the potential to develop more climate-change-resilient genotypes that can cope with predicted future
climate change conditions. Elevated CO2 reduced some of the negative effects of water deficit through
changes in water-use efficiency and light utilisation and reduced the negative impact of water deficit
on biomass accumulation, but this was genotype-specific
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The role of the international cocoa germplasm database and the international cocoa quarantine centre in information management and distribution of cocoa genetic resources
A range of physiological parameters (canopy light transmission, canopy shape, leaf size, flowering and flushing intensity) were measured from the International Clone Trial, typically over the course of two years. Data were collected from six locations, these being: Brazil, Ecuador, Trinidad, Venezuela, CĂŽte dâIvoire and Ghana. Canopy shape varied significantly between clones, although it showed little variation between locations. Genotypic variation in leaf size was differentially affected by the growth location; such differences appeared to underlie a genotype by environment interaction in relation to canopy light transmission. Flushing data were recorded at monthly intervals over the course of a year. Within each location, a significant interaction was observed between genotype and time of year, suggesting that some genotypes respond to a greater extent than others to environmental stimuli. A similar interaction was observed for flowering data, where significant correlations were found between flowering intensity and temperature in Brazil and flowering intensity and rainfall in CĂŽte dâIvoire. The results demonstrate the need for local evaluation of cocoa clones and also suggest that the management practices for particular planting material may need to be fine-tuned to the location in which they are cultivated
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Identification of Cacao Mild Mosaic Virus (CaMMV) and Cacao Yellow Vein-Banding Virus (CYVBV) in Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) Germplasm
Cocoa, Theobroma cacao, is an important tropical perennial crop grown widely in the humid
tropics. The exchange of cocoa germplasm between germplasm collections and breeding centres is
vital for varietal development. Intermediate quarantine facilities, such as the International Cocoa
Quarantine Centre, Reading UK (ICQC-R) play a vital role in ensuring the transfer of germplasm
whilst minimising the risk of spreading pests and diseases. Current screening procedures combine
visual inspection and molecular techniques, which are effective in detecting Cocoa swollen shoot
virus (CSSV), a badnavirus, which causes severe losses but are restricted to West Africa. However,
the detection of latent or mild virus infections that produce no visual symptoms has been a challenge.
Recently two badnavirus species of cocoa producing mild symptoms, cacao mild mosaic virus
(CaMMV) and cacao yellow vein-banding virus (CYVBV), have been sequenced. Here, we report
new assays for the detection of these two species, for the first time in non-symptomatic accessions.
Evolutionary and bioinformatic analyses of the viruses suggest their most recent source was from
Trinidad, though there is historic evidence that these viruses may have their origin in South America
and then become widespread globally over the last century. We also report a novel colorimetric
Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection of CYVBV. This simple and
accurate method could be employed in field virus testing
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The physiological responses of cacao to the environment and the implications for climate change resilience. A review
Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is a tropical perennial crop which is of great economic importance to the confectionary industry and to the economies of many countries of the humid tropics where it is grown. Some recent studies have suggested climate change could severely impact cacao production in West Africa. It is essential to incorporate our understanding of the physiology and genetic variation within cacao germplasm when discussing the implications of climate change on cacao productivity and developing strategies for climate resilience in cacao production.
Here we review the current research on the physiological responses of cacao to various climate factors. Our main findings are 1) water limitation causes significant yield reduction in cacao but genotypic variation in sensitivity is evident, 2) in the field cacao experiences higher temperatures than is often reported in the literature, 3) the complexity of the cacao/ shade tree interaction can lead to contradictory results, 4) elevated CO2 may alleviate some negative effects of climate change 5) implementation of mitigation strategies can help reduce environmental stress, 6) significant gaps in the research need addressing to accelerate the development of climate resilience. Harnessing the significant genetic variation apparent within cacao germplasm is essential to develop modern varieties capable of high yields in non-optimal conditions. Mitigation strategies will also be essential but to use shading to best effect shade tree selection is crucial to avoid resource competition. Cacao is often described as being sensitive to climate change but genetic variation, adaptive responses, appropriate mitigation strategies and interactive climate effects should all be considered when predicting the future of cacao production. Incorporating these physiological responses to various environmental conditions and developing a deeper understanding of the processes underlying these responses will help to accelerate the development of a more resource use efficient tree ensuring sustainable production into the future