The cacao (Theobroma cacao) plant is an important Neo-Tropical species whose natural habitat is the Amazon basin. Over the last 30 years there has been a considerable geographical expansion in the availability of cacao genetic resources. As a result the plant has a rich genetic diversity that exists at two levels: that of the primitive populations in the area of original distribution of the species, and that of the derived cultivated populations. This book provides a comprehensive review of our current knowledge of the diversity of the species. It starts by examining the diversity and inheritance of the characteristics of primitive populations in the Amazonian and Caribbean regions. It then looks at the evolution of diversity within cultivated populations first in South America and around the Caribbean, and then beyond the Americas. The book describes the inter-relationships between populations based on morphological and molecular markers. It also examines the conservation of genetic resources and how these genetic resources can be utilized to produce new cultivars.

The Background to the Subject: Concepts and a Brieí History; The Terminology Specific to Cacao; The Indicators oí Variability; The Manifestation oí the Diversity and its Conservation; The Foundations oí the Diversity; The Amazonian Region; The Circum-Caribbean Region; The Cultivated Populations as Secondary Depositories oí the Diversity; South America - Populations Derived from an Amazonian Region Germplasm Base; The Circum-Caribbean Region and Neighbouring Territories - Populations that Evolved from a Criollo Germplasm Base; Cacao Beyond the Americas - the Export oí Diversity to the Old World; The Genetics oí the Diversity; The Relationships among Populations; The Utilization of the Genetic Resources.

This book reviews the current state of knowledge concerning cacao pathogens and methods for their management. Topics discussed include the history, biology and genetic diversity of Moniliophthora species (which cause witches’ broom and frosty pod rot) and Phytophthora species (which cause black pod rot) that cause diseases resulting in major losses to cacao production. Emerging pathogens such as Cacao swollen shoot virus and Ceratobasidium theobromae (which causes vascular streak dieback) are also discussed in detail, along with many pathogens of significant local concern. Most of these pathogens represent major risks to global cacao production should they expand into new areas, breaking out of their current limited distributions. By considering cacao diseases as a group, similarities in the available tools and techniques used in their management become apparent, as do their limitations. Gaps in our current knowledge of cacao pathogens and the management of the diseases they cause are detailed, and suggestions for future research directions are provided. This insight allows readers to consider cacao disease threats from a more comprehensive, global perspective and paves the way for an improved synergy of efforts between the various research programs, agencies, and industries, both private and public, with vested interests in cacao production, and cacao farmers.

Since the initial report of the amplification of specific DNA fragments using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 1985, this technique has revolutionized molecular biology. It enables the production of large quantities of DNA from minute amounts of sample material, which can then be readily analyzed. This facility has had an enormous influence on the way both fundamental and diagnostic questions are approached and its use is now considered essential for molecular work in all branches of biology. The purpose of this book is to highlight the wide-ranging applications of PCR in pure and applied mycology and to increase understanding of its potential benefits. After a brief overview, a group of internationally-renowned mycologists give definitive descriptions of the use of PCR in their own specialized fields. These include fungal gene expression and cloning, taxonomy and speciation, fungal mycobionts, mycorrhizal fungi, entomopathogenic fungi, mycotoxin-producing fungi, diagnosis of fungal infections in animals, seed-borne diseases, fungal/plant interactions and applications with industrially-important fungi. Finally, potential future directions for PCR work in mycology are discussed.

This book covers the biotechnology of all the major fruit and nut species. Since the very successful first edition of this book in 2004, there has been rapid progress for many fruit and nut species in cell culture, genomics and genetic transformation, especially for citrus and papaya. This book covers both these cutting-edge technologies and regeneration pathways, protoplast culture, in vitro mutagenesis, ploidy manipulation techniques that have been applied to a wider range of species. Three crop species, Diospyros kaki (persimmon), Punica granatum (pomegranate) and Eriobotrya japonica (loquat) are included for the first time. The chapters are organized by plant family to make it easier to make comparisons and exploitation of work with related species. Each chapter discusses the plant family and the related wild species for 38 crop species, and has colour illustrations. It is essential for scientists and post graduate students who are engaged in the improvement of fruit, nut and plantation crops.

Wild crop relatives are now playing a significant part in the elucidation and improvement of the genomes of their cultivated counterparts. This work includes comprehensive examinations of the status, origin, distribution, morphology, cytology, genetic diversity and available genetic and genomic resources of numerous wild crop relatives, as well as of their evolution and phylogenetic relationship. Further topics include their role as model plants, genetic erosion and conservation efforts, and their domestication for the purposes of bioenergy, phytomedicines, nutraceuticals and phytoremediation. Wild Crop Relatives: Genomic and Breeding Resources comprises 10 volumes on Cereals, Millets and Grasses, Oilseeds, Legume Crops and Forages, Vegetables, Temperate Fruits, Tropical and Subtropical Fruits, Industrial Crops, Plantation and Ornamental Crops, and Forest Trees. It contains 125 chapters written by nearly 400 well-known authors from about 40 countries.