Amino acids, carbohydrates and heritability of resistance in the Theobroma cacao/Phythophthora megakarya interaction.

Abstract

Summary. The black pod disease of cocoa (Theobroma cacao), caused by Phythophthora megakarya, is responsible for 80% loss of cocoa production in Cameroon. The principal method of ameliorating crop losses is through the use of black pod resistant and high productivity hybrid cocoa clones. In order to assess the possible role of amino acids and carbohydrates in the defence of T. cacao against P. megakarya, comparative analyses (quantitative and qualitative) of sugars and amino acids were carried out on leaves of parental genotypes, ICS95, ICS84 and hybrids (families F25:♀ICS84 X ♂ICS95 and F30: ♀ICS95 X ♂ICS84 ). A reduction in soluble sugar contents of parental genotypes ICS84, ICS95 and 30% of hybrid genotypes was noted under conditions of infection. Qualitative analyses of sugars showed that most cases of infection were characterized by the disappearance of sucrose and the persistence of glucose. Amino acids content increased in 70% of genotypes after injury or infection. In parental tolerant clone ICS84 and hybrid genotypes F3011, F2551 and F2552, proline appeared solely during conditions of infection, suggesting its implication in the defence mechanism of T. cacao against P. megakarya. A significant positive relationship was observed between amino acid contents and the severity of necrosis. There was a very weak relationship between sugar and amino acid contents in parental genotype, and those of the progeny. PCA of the length of necrosis, sugar level, amino acids and phenolics showed that under infection, the increase in content of phenolic compound was concomitant with reduction in amino acid content.