The physiological responses of cacao to the environment and the implications for climate change resilience. A review
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TLDR
The current research on the physiological responses of cacao to various climate factors are reviewed and 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.Abstract:
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 that 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 as follows: (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; and (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.read more
Citations
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On the widespread capacity for, and functional significance of, extreme inbreeding in ferns.
TL;DR: Evidence is presented from the largest study of mating behavior in ferns to date that the capacity for extreme inbreeding is prevalent in this lineage, and its implications and relevance are discussed and recommendations are made for future studies of fern mating systems.
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Cadmium isotope fractionation in the soil ─ cacao systems of Ecuador: a pilot field study
Fiorella Barraza,Rebekah E. T. Moore,Mark Rehkämper,Eva Schreck,Grégoire Lefeuvre,Katharina Kreissig,Barry J. Coles,Laurence Maurice +7 more
TL;DR: Cd isotope composition in cacao seems to be cultivar-specific whereas Cd in soil is probably due to tree litter recycling.
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Soil texture moderates root functional traits in agroforestry systems across a climatic gradient
Kira A. Borden,Kira A. Borden,Luke C. N. Anglaaere,Sandra Owusu,Adam R. Martin,Serra W. Buchanan,Shalom D. Addo-Danso,Marney E. Isaac +7 more
TL;DR: Soil water and nutrient acquisition strategies in cocoa are investigated along a climatic and diversity gradient in Ghana, West Africa to describe the importance of soil texture in controlling the effect of shade trees on cocoa cultivated in suboptimal precipitation regimes.
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Photochemical responses to light in sun and shade leaves of Theobroma cacao L. (West African Amelonado)
TL;DR: Increased electrolyte leakage in the sun leaves however suggests that the ability to mitigate reactive oxygen species was limited, and points to limitations in the ability of currently cultivated cacao to acclimate to full sun conditions.
Journal ArticleDOI
Effect of elevated CO2, high temperature, and water deficit on growth, photosynthesis, and whole plant water use efficiency of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)
TL;DR: The relative response of cocoa seedlings to ECO2 in improving Pn, leaf Ψ, biomass, and WUE was greater under 50% FC compared to plants at 100% FC suggested additional advantage of [ECO2] to cocoa under water limited conditions.
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