Understanding the cocoa genetic resources in the Pacific to assist producers to supply the growing craft market

Authors: DILLION, NATALIE - University Of Queensland; Zhang, Dapeng; NAUHEIMER, LARS - James Cook University; NAGALEVU, PAITIA - Center For Pacific Crops And Trees (CEPACT)

Submitted to: New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/18/2023
Publication Date: 12/18/2023
Citation: Dillion, N.L., Zhang, D., Nauheimer, L., Nagalevu, P. 2023. Understanding the cocoa genetic resources in the Pacific to assist producers to supply the growing craft market. New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science. https://doi.org/10.1080/01140671.2023.2278788.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01140671.2023.2278788

Interpretive Summary: Cocoa production provides livelihoods for more than 300, 000 people in the South Pacific countries. The Pacific Island cocoa is well-placed to compete successfully in the international primum chocolate market. To support the niche chocolate manufacturers, linking them with producers committed to the production of quality cocoa beans, understanding the genetic background of cacao in the South Pacific region is essential. The present study analyzed 1,647 cacao trees sampled from research stations and smallholder farms in the south pacific region using SNP genotyping technology. The result showed that Amelonado cacao is the main variety cultivated throughout this region. The study also identified other traditional varieties including Criollo and Trinitario, highlighting the quality beans suited to premium chocolate making. The results, if utilized in local selection trials, could reposition growers and allow them to supply the growing craft cocoa market, with genetically unique beans. This information will be used by cacao researchers, growers, and chocolate makers to produce fine-flavor cacao beans based on identified varieties. The information will also be used by cacao researchers to sustainably conserve cacao genetic resources in the South Pacific region.

Technical Abstract: The Pacific countries of Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, and Samoa account for less than 2% of the world's cacao dry bean production. To capitalize on the rapidly expanding origin craft cocoa market, understanding the genetic attributes of Theobroma cacao in the Pacific is essential. A six-year ACIAR-funded project analyzed 1,647 cacao trees from research stations and smallholder farms to identify the genetic background of T. cacao in the partner countries. Using SNP marker profiling, the study identified germplasm high in Amelonado, which represents most of the material throughout the Pacific. However, the study also identified samples high in the remaining genetic groups, which were distributed throughout the Pacific. The results, if utilized in local selection trials, could reposition growers in the Pacific countries, allowing them to supply the growing craft cocoa market, with genetically unique beans. Cocoa genetics was one aspect of a project incorporating production and postharvest research to refocus the commodity based cocoa industry to a supplier of high-quality beans of unique Pacific cocoa origin to the rapidly expanding craft “bean to bar” industry.