Research Project: Development and Application of Genomic-assisted Breeding Strategies to Produce Disease-resistant Cacao Genetic Resources

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Skipping irrigation at pre- and post-anthesis stages influences grain yield and starch contents of bread wheat derived from synthetic or landraces - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Shokat, S., Rehman Arif, M., Qandeel Waheed, M., Liu, F., Guzman, C., Singh, S. 2023. Skipping irrigation at pre- and post-anthesis stages influences grain yield and starch contents of bread wheat derived from synthetic or landraces. Cereal Research Communications. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42976-023-00461-8.

Genetic analysis of iron, zinc and grain yield in wheat using multi-locus GWAS - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kaur, H., Sharma, P., Kumar, J., Singh, V.K., Vasistha, N.K., Gahlaut, V., Tyagi, V., Verma, S.K., Singh, S., Dhaliwal, H.S., Sheikh, I. 2023. Genetic analysis of iron, zinc and grain yield in wheat using multi-locus GWAS. Molecular Biology Reports. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-023-08800-y.

3D pollination biology using micro-computed tomography and geometric morphometrics in Theobroma cacao - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wolcott, K.A., Whitlock, B.A., Wuchty, S., Gutierrez, O.A., Stanley, E.L. 2023. 3D pollination biology using micro-computed tomography and geometric morphometrics in Theobroma cacao. Applications in Plant Sciences. 11(5): e11549. https://doi.org/10.1002/aps3.11549.

Current advances in genomics and gene editing tools for crop improvement in a changing climate scenario - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Vijay Rani, R., Deepmala, S., Ravi, V., Singh, S. 2023. Current advances in genomics and gene editing tools for crop improvement in a changing climate scenario. Frontiers in Genetics. 14:1214679. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2023.1214679.

A previously undescribed polerovirus (solemoviridae) infecting theobroma cacao germplasm - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Adegbola, R.O., Keith, C.V., Gutierrez, O.A., Goenaga, R.J., Brown, J.K. 2022. A previously undescribed polerovirus (solemoviridae) infecting theobroma cacao germplasm. Plant Disease. 107(3). https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-22-1449-PDN.

Effect of cacao black pod rot screening method on disease resistance determination - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A.S., Irish, B.M., Ayala Silva, T., Wurzel, S.B., Gutierrez, O.A. 2022. Effect of cacao black pod rot screening method on disease resistance determination. Chemistry Proceedings. 10(1):71. https://doi.org/10.3390/IOCAG2022-12215.

Selecting SNP markers reflecting population origin for cacao (Theobroma Cacao L.) germplasm identification - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gutierrez, O.A., Martinez, K.A., Zhang, D., Livingstone, D.S., Turnbull, C.J., Motamayor, J.C. 2021. Selecting SNP markers reflecting population origin for cacao (Theobroma Cacao L.) germplasm identification. Beverage Plant Research. 1: Article 15. https://doi.org/10.48130/BPR-2021-0015.

Mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) associated with Cacao mild mosaic virus and evidence of virus acquisition - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A.S., Wurzel, S.B., Suarez, S., Marelli, J., Niogret, J. 2021. Mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) associated with Cacao mild mosaic virus and evidence of virus acquisition. Insects. 12(11):994. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12110994.

Interactive and dynamic effects of rootstock and rhizobiome on scion nutrition in cacao seedlings - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Schmidt, J., Duval, A., Puig, A.S., Tempeleu, A., Crow, T. 2021. Interactive and dynamic effects of rootstock and rhizobiome on scion nutrition in cacao seedlings. Frontiers in Agronomy. 3:754646. https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2021.754646.

Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) and Cacao yellow vein banding virus (CYVBV): genus Badnavirus - (Book / Chapter)
Puig, A.S., Umaharan, P. 2021. Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) and cacao yellow vein banding virus (CYVBV): genus Badnavirus. In End, M.J., Daymond, A.J., Hadley, P., editors. Technical guidelines for the safe movement of cacao germplasm. Revised from the FAO/IPGRI Technical Guidelines No. 20 (Fourth Update). Rome, Italy: Global Cacao Genetic Resources Network (CacaoNet), Bioversity International. p, 27-33.

Detection of cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) using nested PCR and evidence of uneven distribution in plant tissue - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig AS. 2021. Detection of Cacao Mild Mosaic Virus (CaMMV) Using Nested PCR and Evidence of Uneven Distribution in Leaf Tissue. Agronomy, 11(9):1842. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11091842

Neofusicoccum batangarum causing dieback of mango in Florida - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig AS, Winterstein MC. 2021. Neofusicoccum batangarum Causing Dieback of Mango (Mangifera indica) in Florida. Agriculture, 11(9): 853. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11090853

Molecular identification of mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) affecting Theobroma cacao for improved pest management - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A.S.; Wurzel, S.; Suarez, S.; Niogret, J.; Marelli, J.-P. Molecular identification of mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) affecting Theobroma cacao for improved pest management. In Proceedings of the 1st International Electronic Conference on Entomology, Online, 1–15 July 2021; MDPI: Basel, Switzerland, 2021, doi:10.3390/IECE-1039 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/IECE-10399

Seed Transmission of a Cacao Virus From the Americas and the Implication on Crop Cultivation and Movement of Germplasm - (Abstract Only)
Puig A.S. 2021. Seed transmission of a cacao virus from the Americas and the implication on crop cultivation and movement of germplasm. Plant Health Conference, Online, Aug 2-6, 2021

Cacao Rootstock Effects Outweigh Scion Effects on Nutrient Acquisition and the Rhizobiome - (Abstract Only)
Schmidt, J., DuVal, A., Puig, A., Tempeleu, A., Chaparro, J., Motamayor, J.C. 2021. Cacao rootstock effects outweigh scion effects on nutrient acquisition and the rhizobiome. 11th Symposium of the International Society of Root Research , Online. May 24-28, 2021

Development of Nested PCR for detection of Cacao mild mosaic virus in Theobroma cacao - (Abstract Only)
Puig, A.S. 2021. Development of Nested PCR for detection of Cacao mild mosaic virus in Theobroma cacao. Florida Phytopathological Society Meeting. Florida Phytopathological Society Meeting, Online, May 13-14, 2021.

Phytophthora palmivora causing disease on theobroma cacao in hawaii - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A.S., Quintanilla, W.E., Matsumoto Brower, T.K., Keith, L.M., Gutierrez, O.A., Marelli, J. 2021. Phytophthora palmivora causing disease on theobroma cacao in hawaii. Phytopathology. 11(5). Article 396. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11050396.

Phytophthora theobromicola sp. nov. a new species causing black pod disease on cacao in brazil - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Decloquement, J., Ramos-Sobrinho, R., Galvao Elias, S., Santos Britto, D., Puig, A.S., Reis, A., Batista Pinho, D., Marelli, J., Fernandes Da Silva, R., Martins Newman Luz, E., Honorato-Junior, J. 2021. Phytophthora theobromicola sp. nov. a new species causing black pod disease on cacao in brazil. Frontiers in Microbiology. 12: 486. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.537399.

Complete genome sequences for three new discovered Cacao mild mosaic virus isolates from Theobroma cacao L. in Brazil and Puerto Rico and evidence for recombination - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ramos-Sobrinho, R., Keith, C., Puig, A.S., Ferro, M.M., Nagata, T., Gutierrez, O.A., Marelli, J., Brown, J.K. 2021. Complete genome sequences for three new discovered Cacao mild mosaic virus isolates from Theobroma cacao L. in Brazil and Puerto Rico and evidence for recombination. Archives of Virology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-021-05063-5.

Genetic purity of cacao criollo from honduras is revealed by ssr molecular markers - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lopez, M., Gori, M., Bini, L., Orodonez, E., Duran, E., Gutierrez, O.A., Masoni, A., Giordani, E., Biricolti, S., Palchetti, E. 2021. Genetic purity of cacao criollo from honduras is revealed by ssr molecular markers. Agronomy Journal. Volume 11, Issue 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11020225.

Virulence tests of Neofusicoccum parvum, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, and Phytophthora palmivora on Theobroma cacao - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A. S., Keith, L. M., Matsumoto, T. K., Gutierrez, O. A., & Marelli, J. P. (2021). Virulence tests of Neofusicoccum parvum, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, and Phytophthora palmivora on Theobroma cacao. European Journal of Plant Pathology. 159:851–862. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-021-02210-1.

Diseases affecting Theobroma cacao in Puerto Rico’s emerging cacao industry - (Abstract Only)
Puig, A., Ramos-Sobrinho, R., Keith, C. V., Kitchen, N., Gutierrez, O., Goenaga, R., & Brown, J. K. "Diseases affecting Theobroma cacao in Puerto Rico’s emerging cacao industry." Meeting Abstract. Plant Health 2020 Online. August 10-14, 2020

Complete genome sequences of Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) reveal three distinct isolates infecting Theobroma cacao L. in Puerto Rico and Brazil - (Abstract Only)

First report of Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) associated with symptomatic commercial cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) trees in Puerto Rico - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A.S., Ramos-Sobrinho, R., Keith, C., Kitchen, N., Gutierrez, O.A., Goenaga, R.J. 2020. First report of Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) associated with symptomatic commercial cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) trees in Puerto Rico. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-20-0745-PDN.

A complex of badnavirus species infecting cacao reveals mixed infections, extensive genomic variability, and interspecific recombination - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ramos-Sobrinho, R., Chingandu, N., Gutierrez, O.A., Marelli, J., Brown, J.K. 2020. A complex of badnavirus species infecting cacao reveals mixed infections, extensive genomic variability, and interspecific recombination. Viruses. 12, 443-461. https://doi.org/10.3390/v12040443.

Establishment of cacao reference genotypes from different genetic groups using SNP markers - (Abstract Only)

Phytophthora canker affecting CCN51 clones on high productivity cacao farms in Ecuador - (Abstract Only)
Puig, A.S., Marelli, J., Suarez-Capello, C., Gutierrez, O.A. 2019. Phytophthora canker affecting CCN51 clones on high productivity cacao farms in Ecuador. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting. Plant Health, Cleveland, August 3-7, 2019.

Cadmium accumulation and allocation in different cocoa cultivars - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Engbersen, N., Gramlich, A., Lopez, M., Schwarz, G., Gutierrez, O.A., Schulin, R. 2019. Cadmium accumulation and allocation in different cacao cultivars. Science of the Total Environment. 678, 660-670. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.001.

First report of Neofusicoccum parvum causing pod rot on cacao in Hawaii - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Puig, A.S., Jean-Philippe, M., Matsumoto Brower, T.K., Keith, L.M., Gutierrez, O.A. 2019. First report of Neofusicoccum parvum causing pod rot on cacao in Hawaii. Plant Disease. 103(6). https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-18-1719-PDN.

Population genomic analyses of the chocolate tree, Theobroma cacao L., provide insights into its domestication process - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cornejo, O.E., Yee, M., Domingez, V., Andrews, M., Sockell, A., Strandberg, E., Livingstone, D., Stack, C., Romero, A., Umaharan, P., Royaert, S., Tawari, N.R., Ng, P., Gutierrez, O.A., Phillips, W., Mockaitis, K., Bustamante, C.D., Motamayor, J.C. 2018. Population genomic analyses of the chocolate tree, Theobroma cacao L., provide insights into its domestication process. Communications Biology. 1:16. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-018-0168-6.