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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Frederick, Maryland » Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #418625
Research Project: Developing Genomic and Biological Resources to Characterize, Diagnose and Detect Emerging and Invasive Vectored Bacterial and Viral Plant Pathogens for Safeguarding U.S. Agriculture

Location: Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research

Title: Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) and Cacao yellow vein banding virus (CYVBV): genus Badnavirus [2024 Update]

Author
item Puig, Alina
item UMAHARAN, PATHMANATHAN - Cocoa Research Center - Brazil

Submitted to: Technical Guidelines for the Safe Movement of Cacao Germplasm
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/19/2024
Publication Date: 9/30/2024
Citation: End, M.J.; Daymond, A.J.; Hadley, P. (eds.) (2024) Technical Guidelines for the Safe Movement of Cacao Germplasm. Revised from the FAO/IPGRI Technical Guidelines No. 20 (Fifth Update 2024). Global Cacao Genetic Resources Network (CacaoNet). Rome (Italy): Bioversity International, 154 p. ISBN: 978-92-9255-328-9

Interpretive Summary: Although viruses have been confirmed in cacao on every continent where the crop is cultivated, most research has focused on the viruses present in West Africa. To assist with the development of guidelines for safely moving germplasm, detailed information was gathered on viruses in the Americas and Asia. Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) and Cacao yellow vein banding virus (CYVBV) were discovered in Trinidad in 1943. CaMMV was recently confirmed in Brazil, USA, and Indonesia, suggesting it is widespread. Virus-like symptoms have been reported in other cacao growing areas in the region, including Colombia, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela but have not yet been characterized. All characterized viruses belong to the Badnavirus genus and are transmitted by mealybugs and through grafting. Information on Badnaviruses in Indonesia and Sri Lanka are also presented here. This chapter describes virus diseases affecting cacao in the Americas and Asia, including symptoms and transmission characteristics that are valuable for the development of guidelines for safely moving germplasm. This information will be used by scientists and breeders to prevent the movement and propagation of virus-infected cacao plants.

Technical Abstract: Although viruses have been confirmed in cacao on every continent where the crop is cultivated, most research has focused on the viruses present in West Africa. Viruses on cacao were reported in Trinidad in 1943, and are named Cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) and Cacao yellow vein banding virus (CYVBV). They were present throughout the island until the 1950s, when the government initiated a tree removal program targeting virus-infected cacao. Recently, CaMMV was detected in USA, Brazil, England, and Indonesia, indicating it likely widely distributed globally. Both viruses are transmitted by several species of mealybugs as well as grafting, and CaMMV has been detected in alternative hosts. Multiple primer pairs are available for PCR detection of CaMMV and CYVBV, as well as a bioassay using a susceptible rootstock. Preliminary studies suggest CaMMV can be seed transmitted, so seeds grown for rootstock should only be taken from trees that have been screened for the virus.