TO BE THE WORLD LEADER IN COCOA BIOTECHNOLOGY

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MOLECULAR FINGERPRINTING OF COCOA CLONES

Project Leader : Dr. Rosmin Kasran

BACKGROUND

There are four possible uses for DNA markers in cocoa agriculture:

  • Identification of clones: Comparing DNA markers from clones with those from the type specimen is the best way to confirm identity.
  • Identifying seedlings with superior adults traits: DNA markers provide a means to identify plants with superior adults traits while still at the seedling stage and will greatly facilitate breeding and reduce expense.
  • Selecting clones for breeding: Progeny trees derived from genetically distant clones may be more vigorous than progeny from genetically similar one (hybrid vigor).
  • Selecting clones for interplanting: Interplanting genetically distant and self-incompatible clones may result in larger beans than would be obtained by interplanting closely related clones due to hybrid vigor.

    POTENTIAL OF THIS TECHNOLOGY

  • Breeders will be able to create higher yielding trees that may be more disease and insect resistant through hybrid vigor.
  • Planters will have increased yield.
  • Planters will have trees with larger beans.

    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT AND COMMERCIALIZATION POTENTIAL

    Beans from superior trees originating from this project will be welcome by all of our bean buyers.