Development and phenotypic characterization of a native Theobroma cacao L. germplasm bank from the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon: Implications for ex situ conservation and genetic improvement
Introduction: The ex situ conservation and characterization of native Theobroma cacao L. genetic resources are critical for sustainable cacao production and breeding programs in the face of climate change and escalating disease pressures. This study aimed to establish and characterize a novel germpl...
| Autores principales: | , , , , , |
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| Formato: | info:eu-repo/semantics/article |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12955/2778 https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2025.1576239 |
| _version_ | 1855028626167169024 |
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| author | Imán Correa, Sixto Alfredo Samanamud, Angelo F. Ramírez , José F. Cobos, Marianela Paredes, Cleydi Castro, Juan C. |
| author_browse | Castro, Juan C. Cobos, Marianela Imán Correa, Sixto Alfredo Paredes, Cleydi Ramírez , José F. Samanamud, Angelo F. |
| author_facet | Imán Correa, Sixto Alfredo Samanamud, Angelo F. Ramírez , José F. Cobos, Marianela Paredes, Cleydi Castro, Juan C. |
| author_sort | Imán Correa, Sixto Alfredo |
| collection | Repositorio INIA |
| description | Introduction: The ex situ conservation and characterization of native Theobroma cacao L. genetic resources are critical for sustainable cacao production and breeding programs in the face of climate change and escalating disease pressures. This study aimed to establish and characterize a novel germplasm bank from the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon, a key center of cacao diversity. Methods: We collected 140 native cacao accessions across 15 river basins in eight provinces of the Loreto region. Accessions were propagated using optimized grafting techniques with IMC 67 rootstock. Phenotypic evaluation was conducted on 402 plants using 36 standardized descriptors (25 quantitative and 11 qualitative). Data analysis included multivariate analysis using Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) and Shannon-Weaver diversity indices to assess morphological diversity patterns. Results: Grafting achieved 100% survival rate, establishing a comprehensive germplasm bank. Phenotypic characterization revealed exceptional morphological diversity, with quantitative traits exhibiting substantial variation, particularly in fruit characteristics (CV = 15.82–50.82%) and pod index (CV = 144.82%). Multivariate analysis identified five distinct phenotypic groups, with reproductive traits showing stronger differentiation than vegetative traits. Shannon-Weaver diversity indices highlighted high overall phenotypic diversity (H' ≈ 0.7), with seed longitudinal shape and fruit apex form displaying the highest trait-specific diversity (H' > 1.0). Conclusion: This comprehensive characterization establishes a foundation for future multiomics studies and advanced breeding strategies. The documented diversity offers opportunities to leverage CRISPR-Cas-based editing and omics technologies to develop climate-resilient, high-yielding cacao varieties with superior quality traits, contributing significantly to global cacao conservation and improvement programs. |
| format | info:eu-repo/semantics/article |
| id | INIA2778 |
| institution | Institucional Nacional de Innovación Agraria |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| publisherStr | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | INIA27782025-06-17T05:46:11Z Development and phenotypic characterization of a native Theobroma cacao L. germplasm bank from the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon: Implications for ex situ conservation and genetic improvement Imán Correa, Sixto Alfredo Samanamud, Angelo F. Ramírez , José F. Cobos, Marianela Paredes, Cleydi Castro, Juan C. Cacao Fruit Genetic variation Multivariate analysis Phenotype Plant breeding Seed bank https://purl.org/pe-repo/ocde/ford#4.01.06 Theobroma cacao; Variación genética; Genetic variation; Recurso genético; Genetic resources; Conservación ex situ; Ex situ conservation; Germoplasma; Germplasm Introduction: The ex situ conservation and characterization of native Theobroma cacao L. genetic resources are critical for sustainable cacao production and breeding programs in the face of climate change and escalating disease pressures. This study aimed to establish and characterize a novel germplasm bank from the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon, a key center of cacao diversity. Methods: We collected 140 native cacao accessions across 15 river basins in eight provinces of the Loreto region. Accessions were propagated using optimized grafting techniques with IMC 67 rootstock. Phenotypic evaluation was conducted on 402 plants using 36 standardized descriptors (25 quantitative and 11 qualitative). Data analysis included multivariate analysis using Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) and Shannon-Weaver diversity indices to assess morphological diversity patterns. Results: Grafting achieved 100% survival rate, establishing a comprehensive germplasm bank. Phenotypic characterization revealed exceptional morphological diversity, with quantitative traits exhibiting substantial variation, particularly in fruit characteristics (CV = 15.82–50.82%) and pod index (CV = 144.82%). Multivariate analysis identified five distinct phenotypic groups, with reproductive traits showing stronger differentiation than vegetative traits. Shannon-Weaver diversity indices highlighted high overall phenotypic diversity (H' ≈ 0.7), with seed longitudinal shape and fruit apex form displaying the highest trait-specific diversity (H' > 1.0). Conclusion: This comprehensive characterization establishes a foundation for future multiomics studies and advanced breeding strategies. The documented diversity offers opportunities to leverage CRISPR-Cas-based editing and omics technologies to develop climate-resilient, high-yielding cacao varieties with superior quality traits, contributing significantly to global cacao conservation and improvement programs. 2025-06-17T05:46:11Z 2025-06-17T05:46:11Z 2025-06-16 info:eu-repo/semantics/article Imán, S. A., Samanamud, A. F., Ramírez, J. F., Cobos, M., Paredes, C., & Castro, J. C. (2025). Development and phenotypic characterization of a native Theobroma cacao L. germplasm bank from the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon: implications for ex situ conservation and genetic improvement. Frontiers in Conservation Science, 6, 1576239. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2025.1576239 2673-611X http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12955/2778 https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2025.1576239 eng urn:issn:2673-611X Frontiers in Conservation Science info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ application/pdf application/pdf Frontiers Media S.A. CH Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria Repositorio Institucional - INIA |
| spellingShingle | Cacao Fruit Genetic variation Multivariate analysis Phenotype Plant breeding Seed bank https://purl.org/pe-repo/ocde/ford#4.01.06 Theobroma cacao; Variación genética; Genetic variation; Recurso genético; Genetic resources; Conservación ex situ; Ex situ conservation; Germoplasma; Germplasm Imán Correa, Sixto Alfredo Samanamud, Angelo F. Ramírez , José F. Cobos, Marianela Paredes, Cleydi Castro, Juan C. Development and phenotypic characterization of a native Theobroma cacao L. germplasm bank from the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon: Implications for ex situ conservation and genetic improvement |
| title | Development and phenotypic characterization of a native Theobroma cacao L. germplasm bank from the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon: Implications for ex situ conservation and genetic improvement |
| title_full | Development and phenotypic characterization of a native Theobroma cacao L. germplasm bank from the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon: Implications for ex situ conservation and genetic improvement |
| title_fullStr | Development and phenotypic characterization of a native Theobroma cacao L. germplasm bank from the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon: Implications for ex situ conservation and genetic improvement |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development and phenotypic characterization of a native Theobroma cacao L. germplasm bank from the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon: Implications for ex situ conservation and genetic improvement |
| title_short | Development and phenotypic characterization of a native Theobroma cacao L. germplasm bank from the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon: Implications for ex situ conservation and genetic improvement |
| title_sort | development and phenotypic characterization of a native theobroma cacao l germplasm bank from the loreto region of the peruvian amazon implications for ex situ conservation and genetic improvement |
| topic | Cacao Fruit Genetic variation Multivariate analysis Phenotype Plant breeding Seed bank https://purl.org/pe-repo/ocde/ford#4.01.06 Theobroma cacao; Variación genética; Genetic variation; Recurso genético; Genetic resources; Conservación ex situ; Ex situ conservation; Germoplasma; Germplasm |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12955/2778 https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2025.1576239 |
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