Abstract
The phenotypic characterization of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) plays an important role in the generation of information for the conservation of cacao germplasm. The objective of this study is to characterize phenotypically 146 ecotypes of fine-aroma native cacao (FFNC) from northeastern Peru that were collected from 280 to 1265 metres above sea level. Morphological descriptors of fruits and seeds, sensory characteristics, and productivity descriptors were used. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics with pie charts, distribution histograms, and multiple correspondence analysis. The results showed that 76.7% of the cocoa ecotypes had green immature fruits, 73% showed slight roughness on the surface of the fruit, 54% showed an intermediate thickness of the fruit wall, and 90% had the appearance of pairs of equidistant ridges. Regarding seed characteristics, 71% showed purplish cotyledons, with a high presence of floral and fruity notes and low levels of bitterness and astringency. Likewise, 52% of the fruits and 64% of the seeds were long. More importantly, cocoa beans needed to produce between 14 and 16 pods to obtain one kilogram of dry cocoa, which reflects a good level of productivity. Finally, there was a positive relationship between elevation levels and the presence of fine-flavoured native cocoa, i.e., the greatest diversity of native cocoa with floral and fruity notes was found above 501 metres above sea level.
Highlights
Manuel Oliva-Cruz,1 Malluri Goñas,1 Ligia M
Morphological descriptors of fruits and seeds, sensory characteristics, and productivity descriptors were used. e data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics with pie charts, distribution histograms, and multiple correspondence analysis. e results showed that 76.7% of the cocoa ecotypes had green immature fruits, 73% showed slight roughness on the surface of the fruit, 54% showed an intermediate thickness of the fruit wall, and 90% had the appearance of pairs of equidistant ridges
The variability of morphological traits such as fruit color, shape, roughness, and length allows for the existence of a great diversity of ecotypes in northeastern Peru. us, morphological descriptors applied during cocoa characterization facilitate the identification, differentiation, and selection of germplasm diversity [13, 14], highlighting the particular characteristics expressed by each genotype [15, 16]
Summary
Manuel Oliva-Cruz ,1 Malluri Goñas, Ligia M. E objective of this study is to characterize phenotypically 146 ecotypes of fine-aroma native cacao (FFNC) from northeastern Peru that were collected from 280 to 1265 metres above sea level. 71% showed purplish cotyledons, with a high presence of floral and fruity notes and low levels of bitterness and astringency. E characterization of species, families, and genera of plants and their morphological characters has been widely used and is becoming a useful and indispensable tool to carry out numerous studies in population genetics and agriculture [2]. Erefore, the characterization of cocoa accessions and/ or clones consists of determining the expression of traits with very high heritability, ranging from morphological characters to seed proteins and possibly including molecular markers that eliminate duplicate clones [3]. Morphological traits are used to study genetic variability, identify plants, and conserve genetic resources [5]. International Journal of Agronomy traits is irreplaceable [6], and the first step to consider in genetic improvement programs is to measure the genetic variability of a collection based on the use of defined descriptors
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