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

Aproveitamento dos resíduos da produção de conserva de palmito como substrato para plantas Reutilization of wastes from the production of palm heart canning as substrates for plants

Avaliou-se as características físicas e químicas dos resíduos da extração do palmito da palmeira real australiana [Archontophoenix alexandrae (F. Muell.) H. Wendl. & Drude] com vistas à sua utilização como substrato para plantas. Estudou-se amostras originárias de dois locais, do interior e do litoral, e subdividiu-se as mesmas segundo as partes da planta em folhas, estipe, e "cartucho" (bainhas), sendo analisadas na forma in natura e após sofrer hidrólise ácida. Todas as amostras foram caracterizadas determinando-se a densidade úmida e seca, a porosidade total, o espaço de aeração, a disponibilidade de água, o valor de pH, a condutividade elétrica e o teor total de sais solúveis. Não houve diferença estatística entre as amostras para as características físicas estudadas. As amostras oriundas do litoral não diferiram daquelas obtidas no interior, assim como, as amostras que sofreram hidrólise ácida não diferiram daquelas in natura. Da mesma forma, as partes da planta (folhas, estipe e cartucho) não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre si. No entanto, os resultados das características químicas consideradas não são apropriados para a utilização dos resíduos da indústria de conserva de palmito como substrato para plantas e indicam a necessidade de novos estudos com resíduos provenientes de plantio controlado da palmeira real australiana.<br>A study was held to evaluate the physical and chemical characteristics of wastes from the extraction of the heart of the Australian real palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae), in order to use it as substrates for plants. Samples from inland and from seaside were subdivided into leaves, stipe and "cartridge" (sheaths) and analyzed in the in natura form and after acid hydrolysis. All samples were characterized by humid and dry density, total porosity, aeration space and availability of water, pH, electric conductivity and total content of soluble salts. There was no statistical difference among the samples for the studied physical characteristics. The samples from seaside did not differ from those from inland and the samples that have suffered acid hydrolysis did not differ from those in natura. Also, the parts of the plant (leaves, stipe and cartridge) showed no significant differences among themselves. The results of chemical characteristics showed the utilization of wastes from the production of palm heart canning as substrates for plants is not recommended. Additionally, the results evidenced the need for new studies with waste from controlled planting of Australian real palm