Research Projects
Genetic Resources & Breeding 149


Funded by CRUK
» University of Reading, UK
(2024 to 2027)
Researcher: Dr. Andrew Daymond/Dr Fiona Lahive/Prof. Paul Hadley
This two year project at the University of Reading builds on previous work on climate change effects on cocoa supported by CRUK and other sponsors. Building on this extensive platform of research, this project seeks to further advance our knowledge of impacts of climate variables on cocoa and potential solutions for mitigation by firstly, understanding how cocoa responds to heatwaves and cold temperature shock events against a background of other stressors; secondly ground-truthing in Ghana the previously conducted greenhouse experiments which identified putative traits associated with tolerance to high-temperature and drought stress; thirdly, to understand how changes in the light environment (as may occur through the adoption of agroforestry practices) might impact the response of cocoa to abiotic stresses.

Funded by CRA
» University of Reading, UK
(2024 to 2026)
Researchers: Prof Paul Hadley/Dr. Chris Turnbull, Dr. Ihsan Ullah
The London cocoa trade, via contributions from ICE Cocoa Futures Europe to CRA Ltd., continues to support this long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources which was initiated in 1988 in liaison with IPGRI (now Alliance of Bioversity International-CIAT). The ICGD is freely available through its website (www.icgd.reading.ac.uk) and has become a key resource for the cocoa research community.
2 Published Papers

Funded by CRA
» University of Reading, UK
(2021 to 2026)
Researchers: Prof. Paul Hadley, Dr. Andrew Daymond
The UK industry, through BCCCA and CRA Ltd, have been supporting the safe distribution of cocoa germplasm via the quarantine facility at the University of Reading since 1982. The ICQC,R provides the international intermediate quarantine service for the safe movement of cocoa germplasm - one of the key ‘building block’ resources for the cocoa research community. See https://icgd.reading.ac.uk/icqc/index.php
9 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, CIRAD and a number of other supporters
» University of the West Indies
(2025 to 2025)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
Core support for the Cocoa Research Centre to conserve, characterise and utilise the germplasm held in the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad.
2 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and Contributors to the CRA Conservation Initiative
» CATIE, Costa Rica
(2025 to 2025)
Researcher: Dr. Rolando Cerda
Support from contributors to the CRA Cocoa Conservation Initiative towards the maintenance of the International Cocoa Collection at CATIE (IC3) and the evaluation of the accessions for disease resistance and quality characteristics.

Funded by COCOBOD & GCGRA
» Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
(2018 to 2025)
The supply of improved planting materials to farmers is a vital component in ensuring the sustainability of cocoa production. Cocobod/CRIG and GCGRA are continuing to support a major breeding programme, the Mabang Megakarya Selection Programme (MMSP). MMSP’s work will lead to Ghana’s seed gardens supplying farmers with new varieti es which have been tested for their performance in an area affected by the devastating Megakarya form of Black Pod disease. In the longer term it will also develop improved clonal varieties which will be at the heart of the modernisation of cocoa production.
2 Published Papers

Funded by GCGRA and COCOBOD & GCGRA
» Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
(2018 to 2025)
The supply of improved planting materials to farmers is a vital component in ensuring the sustainability of cocoa production. Cocobod/CRIG and GCGRA are continuing to support a major breeding programme, the Mabang Megakarya Selection Programme (MMSP). MMSP’s work will lead to Ghana’s seed gardens supplying farmers with new varieti es which have been tested for their performance in an area affected by the devastating Megakarya form of Black Pod disease. In the longer term it will also develop improved clonal varieties which will be at the heart of the modernisation of cocoa production.
3 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, CIRAD and a number of other supporters
» University of the West Indies
(2024 to 2024)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
Core support for the Cocoa Research Centre to conserve, characterise and utilise the germplasm held in the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad.
5 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and Contributors to the CRA Conservation Initiative
» CATIE, Costa Rica
(2024 to 2024)
Researcher: Dr. Rolando Cerda
Support from contributors to the CRA Cocoa Conservation Initiative towards the maintenance of the International Cocoa Collection at CATIE (IC3) and the evaluation of the accessions for disease resistance and quality characteristics.

Funded by CRA and Contributors to the CRA Conservation Initiative
» University of the West Indies
(2023 to 2024)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
Support from contributors to the CRA Cocoa Conservation Initiative to allow rehabilitation of the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad (ICG,T) and to improve the conservation status of the accessions held.

Funded by CRA
» University of Reading, UK
(2021 to 2024)
Researchers: Prof Paul Hadley/Dr. Chris Turnbull, Dr. Ihsan Ullah
The London cocoa trade, via contributions from ICE Cocoa Futures Europe to CRA Ltd., continues to support this long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources which was initiated in 1988 in liaison with IPGRI (now Alliance of Bioversity International-CIAT). The ICGD is freely available through its website (www.icgd.reading.ac.uk)and is also distributed on CD-ROM to cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources, and has become a key resource for the cocoa research community.
2 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, CIRAD and a number of other supporters
» University of the West Indies
(2023 to 2023)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
Core support for the Cocoa Research Centre to conserve, characterise and utilise the germplasm held in the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad.
4 Published Papers

Funded by CRUK
» University of Reading, UK
(2017 to 2023)
Researchers: Dr. Andrew Daymond/Prof. Paul Hadley, Dr. Fiona Lahive
The overall aim of the project was to provide a broader understanding of the impacts of climate change on growth, yield and quality in cocoa through a combination of experimental studies and modelling, and to develop tools to identify resilience to abiotic stresses resulting from climate change. Although originally funded by CR (UK) Ltd for 5 years, additional complementary funding from other sources allowed the project to run until the end of 2023. The approach involved a combination of short term experiments on young plants grown in controlled environment chambers,together with longer term trials on mature, pod bearing cocoa trees within a greenhouse facility specifically designed for physiological research on cocoa under simulated climate change conditions. Germplasm screening methods for resilience to water deficit and to high temperatures were also developed and used to test responses of a wide range of germplasm held within the International Cocoa Quarantine Centre. Data arising from the project were synthesized within a physiological model simulating the impact of climate change variables on the growth and physiology of cocoa, whilst a collaboration with the School of Meteorology led to a land-surface model calibrated for cocoa under climate change conditions. The research outputs have been published in 10 scientific papers and shared with the research community through workshops and webinars. Key findings include: Identification of traits associated with maintenance of biomass production under drought Genetic variation in thermotolerance when over 100 clones were tested under greenhouse/laboratory conditions, though further studies are needed to establish the potential of the techniques in larger scale screening under field conditions. Mitigating effects of high humidity and CO2 on negative effects of high temperatures on growth and photosynthesis, particularly for some varieties, and changes in biomass accumulation/partitioning and photosynthetic acclimation in response to growth conditions in both juvenile and mature plants. Initial results from metabolomic studies carried out in association with the Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology (Technical University of Munich) indicate temperature effects during seed development and pod maturation. A physiological model was developed to simulate the impact of different climate change scenarios on yield determinants and their subsequent effect on productivity/yield. Collaborative work with colleagues in the University of Reading’s Department of Meteorology involved modelling net primary productivity of cocoa (i.e. biomass production) in present and future climates in West Africa and demonstrated that elevated [CO2] ameliorated negative impacts of increases in temperature and variation in precipitation.
10 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, CIRAD and a number of other supporters
» University of the West Indies
(2022 to 2022)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
Core support for the Cocoa Research Centre to conserve, characterise and utilise the germplasm held in the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad.
9 Published Papers

Funded by CRUK and in collaboration with partners in University of Reading (UK), Cocoa Research Centre-UWI (Trinidad), Imperial College (UK), CIRAD, UWE (UK)
» University of Reading, UK
(2019 to 2022)
Researcher: Dr. I Ullah/Prof. Jim Dunwell
A short study based at the University of Reading to use a yeast assay to assess the functional behaviour of a range of cacao genes which are involved in uptake and movement of metal ions, including cadmium, within the plant. The research, carried out in collaboration with Imperial College-London, indicates that although cacao plants are likely to use similar physiological mechanisms for the uptake of zinc, which is essential for healthy growth, and cadmium, it seems that there are distinct mechanisms for their movement within the plant. Thus it may be possible to breed varieties suitable for use in areas with naturally high levels of cadmium in the soil which grow well but do not accumulate cadmium in their beans. The project also provided training for a staff member from Cocoa Research Centre, UWI, Trinidad in the yeast assay technique. The second part of the project was focussed on the use of molecular techniques to investigate badna viruses and endogenous viral elements in the cacao genome and resulted in improved diagnostic tools for use in virus detection during quarantine procedures.
10 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, CIRAD and a number of other supporters
» University of the West Indies
(2021 to 2021)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
Core support for the Cocoa Research Centre to conserve, characterise and utilise the germplasm held in the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad.
6 Published Papers

Funded by CRA
» University of Reading, UK
(2018 to 2021)
Researcher: Prof Paul Hadley/Dr. Chris Turnbull
The London cocoa trade, via contributions from ICE Cocoa Futures Europe to CRA Ltd., continues to support this long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources which was initiated in 1988 in liaison with IPGRI (now Alliance of Bioversity International-CIAT). The ICGD is freely available through its website (www.icgd.reading.ac.uk) and is also distributed on CD-ROM to cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources, and has become a key resource for the cocoa research community.
6 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and USDA
» University of Reading, UK
(2016 to 2021)
Researchers: Prof. Paul Hadley, Dr. Andrew Daymond, Dr. Andy Wetten (to 2017)
The UK industry, through BCCCA and CRA Ltd, have been supporting the safe distribution of cocoa germplasm via the quarantine facility at the University of Reading since 1982. Currently, CRA Ltd and USDA are jointly supporting the ICQC,R which provides the only international intermediate quarantine service for the safe movement of cocoa germplasm - one of the key ‘building block’ resources for the cocoa research community.
7 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, CIRAD and a number of other supporters
» University of the West Indies
(2020 to 2020)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
Core support for the Cocoa Research Centre to conserve, characterise and utilise the germplasm held in the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad.
4 Published Papers

Funded by CRUK and University of Aberdeen and Esco
» University of Aberdeen, UK
(2017 to 2020)
Researchers: A-S Bouchon (supervisors: Prof. S. Woodward, Prof. D. Burslem and Dr. E. Boa)
This project set out to gain a better understanding of Verticillium wilt and how it can managed in the cocoa growing area in DR Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The project was largely supported by the University of Aberdeen and Esco with a contribution from CRUK. Results were published in Bouchon, A-S (2020). “Vascular wilt disease of Theobroma cacao in Uganda and DR Congo caused by Verticillium dahliae: studies on management using a genetic approach.” PhD Thesis, University of Aberdeen.See the Information Sheet for this project for further details
6 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA (to 2008)/CRA and Bioversity, German Foundation, Mars,Mondelez, USDA
(1994 to 2020)
The INCOCOA groups are informal groups established to promote collaboration and communication within the cocoa research community. The groups include INGENIC, which is the informal group for cocoa breeders and geneticists. BCCCA provided in-kind support towards the INCOCOA groups, including INGENIC, for the development of the website and virtual library and occasional financial support towards events including workshops and activities such as publications to disseminate research findings to the cocoa community.

Funded by CRA and Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, CIRAD and a number of other supporters
» University of the West Indies
(2019 to 2019)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
Core support for the Cocoa Research Centre to conserve, characterise and utilise the germplasm held in the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad.
8 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and Government of Trinidad & Tobago, CIRAD, UWI and other partners
» University of the West Indies
(2018 to 2018)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
CRA Ltd continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Centre in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for a visiting scientist from CIRAD ( M.ten Hoopen). In addition to this core support, CRU received funding from WCF for the project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease and research projects supported by various partners including Mars, Mondelez and USDA. CRC completed the training and research activities supported under the EU/ACP supported project "International Fine Cocoa Innovation Centre (IFCIC)" www.ifcic.centre, and research on the genetic basis of the incompatibility system, association mapping (with USDA-ARS), mitigation of cadmium contamination (supported by the ECA/CAOBISCO/FCC research fund).Other research has been organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2018 included further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance) and sensory evaluation studies.
8 Published Papers

Funded by CRA
» University of Reading, UK
(2016 to 2018)
Researcher: Prof Paul Hadley/Dr. Chris Turnbull
The London cocoa trade,through CRA Ltd., continues to support this long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources which was initiated in 1988 in liaison with IPGRI (now Bioversity International). The ICGD is freely available through its website (www.icgd.reading.ac.uk)and is also distributed on CD-ROM to cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources, and has become a key resource for the cocoa research community. The project is currently funded by ICE Futures Europe and is administered by CRA Ltd.
4 Published Papers

Funded by GCGRA and CRIG/COCOBOD, CRUK Ltd, The Embassy of the Netherlands in Accra, Mars, Mondelez International
» Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
(2013 to 2018)
Researcher: Mr. E.Nsiah (Consultant G. Lockwood)
The supply of improved planting materials to farmers is a vital component in ensuring the sustainability of cocoa production. A public/private partnership between Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ghana, GCGRA and its sister organisation CR(UK) Ltd, Mars and Mondelez International contributed over €4million to the continuation of a major breeding programme, the Mabang Megakarya Selection Programme (MMSP) over four years. MMSP’s work will lead to Ghana’s seed gardens supplying farmers with new varieties which have been tested for their performance in an area affected by the devastating Megakarya form of Black Pod disease. In the longer term it will also develop improved clonal varieties which will be at the heart of the modernisation of cocoa production. At the end of this Phase of the programme, MMSP achievements include: • Well-developed infrastructure including office and post-harvest facilities • Dedicated, experienced staff with support from willing and capable casual workforce • Efficient data management system using barcoding technology • Fifty-eight trials established to date, with a total area of over 100 ha. Over 3670 clones and 200 bi-parental crosses based on 58 parents under evaluation. Results to date indicate that promising materials outyield standard controls by well over 150%. • First two clones available for inclusion in multi-site trials planned under a new CRIG/WCF ACI-2 project
2 Published Papers

Funded by CRUK and COCOBOD, Embassy of the Netherlands, Accra, Mondelez International, Mars, GCGRA
» Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
(2013 to 2018)
Researcher: Mr. E.Nsiah/G Lockwood (Consultant)
The supply of improved planting materials to farmers is a vital component in ensuring the sustainability of cocoa production. A public/private partnership between Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ghana, GCGRA and its sister organisation CR(UK) Ltd, Mars and Mondelez International will contribute over €4million to the continuation of a major breeding programme, the Mabang Megakarya Selection Programme (MMSP) over four years. MMSP’s work will lead to Ghana’s seed gardens supplying farmers with new varieties which have been tested for their performance in an area affected by the devastating Megakarya form of Black Pod disease. In the longer term it will also develop improved clonal varieties which will be at the heart of the modernisation of cocoa production.
1 Published Paper

Funded by CRA and GORTT
» University of the West Indies
(2017 to 2017)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
CRA Ltd continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for a visiting scientist from CIRAD ( M.ten Hoopen). In addition to this core support, CRU received funding from WCF for the project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease and research projects supported by various partners including Mars and Mondelez. CRC has continued in the training and research activities supported under the EU/ACP supported project "International Fine Cocoa Innovation Centre (IFCIC)" www.ifcic.centre, and research on the genetic basis of the incompatibility system, association mapping (with USDA-ARS), mitigation of cadmium contamination (supported by the ECA/CAOBISCO/FCC research fund).Other research has been organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2015 included further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance) and sensory evaluation studies.
23 Published Papers

Funded by COCOBOD, Embassy of the Netherlands, Accra, Mondelez International, Mars, GCGRA & CRUK
» Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
(2012 to 2017)
The supply of improved planting materials to farmers is a vital component in ensuring the sustainability of cocoa production. A public/private partnership between Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ghana, GCGRA and its sister organisation CR(UK) Ltd, Mars and Mondelez International will contribute over €4million to the continuation of a major breeding programme, the Mabang Megakarya Selection Programme (MMSP) over four years. MMSP’s work will lead to Ghana’s seed gardens supplying farmers with new varieties which have been tested for their performance in an area affected by the devastating Megakarya form of Black Pod disease. In the longer term it will also develop improved clonal varieties which will be at the heart of the modernisation of cocoa production.
2 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and GORTT
» University of the West Indies
(2016 to 2016)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
CRA Ltd continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Centre in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for a visiting scientist from CIRAD ( M.ten Hoopen). In addition to this core support, CRU received funding from WCF for the project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease and research projects supported by various partners including Mars and Mondelez. CRC has continued in the training and research activities supported under the EU/ACP supported project "International Fine Cocoa Innovation Centre (IFCIC)" www.ifcic.centre, and research on the genetic basis of the incompatibility system, association mapping (with USDA-ARS), mitigation of cadmium contamination (supported by the ECA/CAOBISCO/FCC research fund).Other research has been organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2015 included further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance) and sensory evaluation studies.
8 Published Papers

Funded by CRUK
» University of Reading, UK
(2015 to 2016)
Researchers: Dr. Andrew Daymond/Prof. Paul Hadley, Dr. Fiona Lahive
A 16 month post-doctoral project to screen the accessions in the International Cocoa Quarantine Centre (ICQC) at the University of Reading for traits which are likely to affect their yield potential and stress resilience with a view to identifying interesting materials for priority inclusion in breeding work. The project also involved a study period at the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad with the Cocoa Research Centre (UWI, Trinidad)to evaluate some of the same clones grown under field conditions.
1 Published Paper

Funded by CRUK and Bioversity International/CGIAR/Mars/CRA Ltd
» Bioversity International
(2012 to 2016)
Researchers: B. Laliberte, M. End, S. Weise
The review, coordinated by Bioversity International, presents an impartial, evidence-based review of cacao propagation methods, to serve as a basis for the assessment and implementation of strategies for providing farmers with quality planting materials, adapted to current and future needs (cultural, institutional, technical, environmental and financial). It describes the various propagation methods available for the production and supply of large numbers of cacao plants to growers. It is hoped that the result of the efforts of the key authors provides a basis to build on for case-specific recommendations. As the supply of new improved planting material to farmers is at the heart of improving cocoa productivity and modernizing the crop, we hope that the information in the review will make its way into national cocoa plans, and help to make cocoa farming more attractive and more sustainable. The full review is available from http://www.bioversityinternational.org/e-library/publications/detail/supplying-new-cocoa-planting-material-to-farmers-a-review-of-propagation-methodologies/
2 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and USDA
» University of Reading, UK
(2011 to 2016)
Researchers: Prof. P.Hadley, Dr. Andrew Daymond
The UK industry, through BCCCA and CRA Ltd, have been supporting the safe distribution of cocoa germplasm via the quarantine facility at the University of Reading since 1982. Currently, CRA Ltd and USDA are jointly supporting the ICQC,R which provides the only international intermediate quarantine service for the safe movement of cocoa germplasm - one of the key ‘building block’ resources for the cocoa research community.
5 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and GORTT
» University of the West Indies
(2015 to 2015)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
CRA Ltd continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Centre in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for a visiting scientist from CIRAD (M. Boccara to Nov 2015, M.ten Hoopen Apr-Dec). In addition to this core support, CRU received funding from WCF for the project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease, UWI- Research Development and Innovation fund for detailed genetic and phenotypic studies of 500 genotypes from ICG,T, and research projects supported by various partners including Mars and Mondelez. CRC has continued in the training and research activities supported under the EU/ACP supported project "International Fine Cocoa Innovation Centre (IFCIC)" www.ifcic.centre, and research on the genetic basis of the incompatibility system, association mapping (with USDA-ARS), mitigation of cadmium contamination (supported by the ECA/CAOBISCO/FCC research fund).Other research has been organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2015 included further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance) and sensory evaluation studies.
5 Published Papers

Funded by CRA
» University of Reading, UK
(2013 to 2015)
Researcher: Prof Paul Hadley/Dr. Chris Turnbull
The London cocoa trade, through CRA Ltd., continues to support this long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources which was initiated in 1988 in liaison with IPGRI (now Bioversity International). The ICGD is freely available through its website (www.icgd.reading.ac.uk)and is also distributed on CD-ROM to cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources, and has become a key resource for the cocoa research community. The project is currently funded by ICE Futures Europe and is administered by CRA Ltd.

Funded by CRUK
» University of Reading, UK
» Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
(2011 to 2015)
Researcher: F. Owusu-Ansah (Supervisors: Dr. F.Baksh & Dr. E. Allan)
This PhD project involved the application of modern statistical techniques to the design and analysis of cocoa breeding programmes and field experiments. Frank Owusu Ansah published his thesis entitled "Methodology For Joint Modelling Of Spatial Variation And Competition Effects In The Analysis Of Varietal Selection Trials" in 2015. The model was developed by extending an existing model by relaxing the assumptions about the competition component to allow for more realistic options and to cope with multiple tree plot layout while simultaneously modelling fertility effects. Autoregressive and cubic spline terms were used to model the competition and fertility effects respectively. An evaluation of the new model indicated its relative superiority in giving efficient and reliable conclusions for both plot and tree level analyses. The comparative advantage of this model over existing methods is demonstrated using data from Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
5 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and GORTT
» University of the West Indies
(2014 to 2014)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
CRA Ltd continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Centre in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for a visiting scientist from CIRAD (M. Boccara). In addition to this core support, CRC received funding from WCF for the project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease, UWI- Research Development and Innovation fund for detailed genetic and phenotypic studies of 500 genotypes from ICG,T, and research projects supported by various partners including Mars and Mondelez. CRC initiated a new project supported by €2.574million from EU/ACP for a "International Fine Cocoa Innovation Centre (IFCIC)" www.ifcic.centre. New Projects on the incompatibility system and on association mapping were also initiated with support from USDA-ARS and on the mitigation of cadmium contamination thanks to support from the ECA/CAOBISCO/FCC research fund. Other research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2014 included further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance) and sensory evaluation studies.
5 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and GORTT
» University of the West Indies
(2013 to 2013)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
CRA Ltd continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Centre in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for a visiting scientist from CIRAD (M. Boccara). In addition to this core support, CRC received funding from WCF for the project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease, UWI- Research Development and Innovation fund for detailed genetic and phenotypic studies of 500 genotypes from ICG,T, and research projects supported by various sources including industry partners. Other research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2013 included further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance) and sensory evaluation studies.
6 Published Papers

Funded by CRA (NYSE LIFFE contribution)
» University of Reading, UK
(2011 to 2013)
Researchers: Prof. Paul Hadley, Dr. Chris Turnbull
The London cocoa trade (NYSE -LIFFE), through CRA Ltd., continued to support this long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources which was initiated in 1988 in liaison with IPGRI (now Bioversity International). The project aims to support the continuing breeding and conservation efforts by facilitating access to information on the origins, current location, characteristics of cocoa genetic resources. Although the ICGD is now primarily an online database, providing greater accessibility and allowing more rapid dissemination of new information, a CD-ROM version is available and is especially useful in areas with slow or unreliable internet access. Over 160 copies of ICGD 2012 (released in May 2012), were distributed to over 100 locations around the globe, and were also freely available at the 17th International Cocoa Research Conference (ICRC) in Cameroon (October 2012). Data has continued to be added to ICGD from a wide variety of sources, such as journal articles and conference proceedings, as well as data supplied directly from research institutes. User feedback has driven the continued development of ICGD, resulting in several new features being implemented that improve the search routines and the way in which data is presented. The Genetic Resource Evaluation and Selection Tool (GRest) has also been developed to work alongside ICGD. It impartially and unambiguously ranks accessions, based on information on the traits possessed by individuals and the genetic diversity they represent, allowing selection criteria to be based on specific local requirements. GRest is available on both the online and CD versions of ICGD. As the principle resource for cocoa germplasm information, ICGD has a central role outlined in ‘A Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Cacao Genetic Resources, as the Foundation for a Sustainable Cocoa Economy’, recently published by CacaoNet (the global network for cacao genetic resources). Two presentations about ICGD, the data it contains, and how it fits in the Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Cacao Genetic Resources, were presented at the 17th International Cocoa Research Conference (ICRC) organised by COPAL. An overview of the GRest program was also presented at the INGENIC workshop that followed the Conference.
4 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and GORTT
» University of the West Indies
(2012 to 2012)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
CRA Ltd continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Centre (formerly known as the Cocoa Research Unit) in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for visiting scientists from CIRAD (M. Boccara, G. Fourny). In addition to this core support, CRC received funding from WCF for the project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease, UWI- for refurbishment of the molecular genetics laboratories and research projects supported by various sources including industry partners. Other research at CRC continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2012 included further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance) and sensory evaluation studies.
2 Published Papers

Funded by CRUK and CRIG
» Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
(2008 to 2012)
Researcher: Dr Rob Lockwood
A joint project with CRIG to analyse and interpret historic and more recent data from CRIG's breeding programme with a view to selecting types for further evaluation in seed garden and MMSP trials.

Funded by CRA and GORTT
» University of the West Indies
(2011 to 2011)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
CRA Ltd continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for visiting scientists from CIRAD (M. Boccara, G. Fourny). In addition to this core support, CRC received funding from WCF for the project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease, and other research projects supported by various sources including other industry partners. Research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2011 included further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance) and sensory evaluation studies.
1 Published Paper

Funded by GCGRA
» Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
» Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
(2010 to 2011)
Researchers: D. Nyadanu (Supervisors:Dr. Boamah Adomako, Dr. F. Amoah, Dr. Lockwood (Advisor))
A research project in Ghana to test whether the leaf disc and/or detached pod tests for black pod resistance can be used to predict the rank order of disease incidence of the 16 clones in a completed clone trial and of the general combining abilities (gcas) of 5 and 10 parents in two completed field trials.
5 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and USDA
» University of Reading, UK
(2008 to 2011)
Researchers: Prof. P.Hadley, Dr. Andrew Daymond
The UK industry, through BCCCA and CRA Ltd, have been supporting the safe distribution of cocoa germplasm via the quarantine facility at the University of Reading since 1982. Currently, CRA Ltd and USDA are jointly supporting the ICQC,R which provides the only international intermediate quarantine service for the safe movement of cocoa germplasm - one of the key ‘building block’ resources for the cocoa research community.
5 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and LNV Sustainable Cocoa Subsidy Scheme (Dutch Buffer Stock)
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of Reading, UK
» Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
(2007 to 2011)
Researchers: M.A. Salifu (Supervisors: Prof. Paul Hadley, Dr. P. Tricker)
A post-graduate research project to investigate the effects of juvenility, reinvigoration and disruption to the flow of nutrients and water at the graft union on budding success and growth rates of budded plants with a view to understanding why seedling plants perform better than genetically identical plants derived from them.

Funded by CRA and GORTT
» University of the West Indies
(2010 to 2010)
Researchers: Dr. D. Sukha and Mrs F. Bekele (joint acting Directors, Jan-Feb), Prof. P. Umaharan (Mar-Dec)
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for a visiting scientist from CIRAD (M. Boccara). In addition to this core support, CRU received funding from WCF for the project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease and from USDA towards a collaborative activity also involving CIRAD to develop a DNA fingerprinting database for the cocoa collections of the Americas. CRU also received support from CFC and partner organisations for the CFC/ICCO/IPGRI project "Cocoa Productivity and Quality Improvement; a Participatory Approach" for activities including the germplasm enhancement programme for resistance to Black Pod and Witches' Broom disease. CRU and CRA's application for support from the Dutch Sustainable Cocoa Fund (Dutch Buffer Stock Fund) for the project "Safeguarding the ICG,T: a global resource for the cocoa industry" was successful and the work to repropagate "at risk" germplasm and install irrigation at the site was initiated towards the end of the year. Research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2005 included further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance),sensory evaluation studies, studies on the genetic basis of disease resistance and germplasm enhancement (pre-breeding) to develop a population with a high level of resistance to Black Pod and Witches’ Broom diseases.
2 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(2008 to 2010)
Researchers: Prof. Paul Hadley, Dr. Chris Turnbull
The London cocoa trade, NYSE-LIFFE, continues to support this long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources which was initiated in 1988 in liaison with IPGRI (now Bioversity International). The ICGD is freely available through its website and is also distributed on CD-ROM to cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources, and has become a key resource for the cocoa research community. The project is currently funded by NYSE LIFFE and is administered by CRA Ltd. In this phase of the project, the ICGD was re-structured to a MYSQL/PHP platform to facilitate updating and improve data accessibility.Data on half-sibs and genetic groups has been added and the way the ICGD deals with synonyms has been improved to allow users to use the clone names that they are most familiar with. Development of a tool to allow ranking of accessions based on characteristics including genetic diversity has continued. The field guide "A Visual Aid to Identifying Widely Distributed Cacao Accessions’ was published using data from the ICGD as part of the CFC/Bioversity Cocoa Genetic Resources project.
3 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and LNV Sustainable Cocoa Subsidy Scheme (Dutch Buffer Stock)
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(2006 to 2010)
Researcher: Prof. P. Umaharan
A co-funded project with the Government of the Netherlands to carry out a major re-propagation programme and install reservoirs and an irrigation system to improve the security of germplasm held in the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad.
3 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and CFC and other co-financiers
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of Reading, UK
» Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
(2005 to 2010)
Researchers: K. Acheampong (Supervisors: Prof. P. Hadley, Dr. A.J. Daymond)
A PhD research project to evaluate the effects of shade, mulch and irrigation on the growth, development and physiology of different varieties of cocoa under field and controlled greenhouse conditions.
5 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and Bioversity, Mars, USDA, WCF
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» Bioversity International
(2005 to 2010)
Support towards meetings and other activities associated with the development of a global strategy for the conservation and use of cacao genetic resources.

Funded by CRA* and CFC and other co-financiers
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» Bioversity International
(2004 to 2010)
Researcher: Dr. Bertus Eskes and regional coordinators from participating institutions
Co-financing and counterpart funding for activities at Cocoa Research Unit (Trinidad) and the Univ. of Reading which formed part of this global project which involved 14 institutions in West Africa, the Americas, SE Asia and Europe.
7 Published Papers

Funded by CRA and GORTT
» University of the West Indies
(2009 to 2009)
Researchers: Dr. David Butler (Jan), Dr. D. Sukha and Mrs F. Bekele (joint acting Directors, Feb-Dec)
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for a visiting scientist from CIRAD (M. Boccara). In addition to this core support, CRU received funding from WCF for the project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease and from USDA towards a collaborative activity also involving CIRAD to develop a DNA fingerprinting database for the cocoa collections of the Americas. CRU also received support from CFC and partner organisations for the CFC/ICCO/IPGRI project "Cocoa Productivity and Quality Improvement; a Participatory Approach" for activities including the germplasm enhancement programme for resistance to Black Pod and Witches' Broom disease. CRU and CRA's application for support from the Dutch Sustainable Cocoa Fund (Dutch Buffer Stock Fund) for the project "Safeguarding the ICG,T: a global resource for the cocoa industry" was successful and the work to repropagate "at risk" germplasm and install irrigation at the site was initiated towards the end of the year. Research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2009 included further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance) and sensory evaluation studies.
7 Published Papers

Funded by CRUK
» University of Reading, UK
(2009 to 2009)
Researchers: Prof. P.Hadley, Dr. N.Cryer
A short project to collate genetic fingerprinting data from various sources and, in collaboration with scientists at USDA, CIRAD and Mars, to carry out an analysis to prioritise the accessions to conserve in the CacaoNet Global Strategic collection.
2 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and LNV Sustainable Cocoa Subsidy Scheme (Dutch Buffer Stock)
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of Reading, UK
(2008 to 2009)
Researchers: Dr. A. Daymond, Prof. P.Hadley
A jointly funded project with the Government of the Netherlands (Sustainable Cocoa Subsidy Scheme) to install energy saving thermal screens and refurbish the quarantine facilities. These measures have resulted in an energy saving of some 40% compared to previous years. The thermal screens also permit better shade/humidity control and result in improved plant growth.

Funded by GCGRA and LNV Sustainable Cocoa Subsidy Scheme (Dutch Buffer Stock) and CRIG/COCOBOD
» Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
(2005 to 2009)
Researcher: Mr. E.Nsiah
A major new breeding programme with the objective of new planting materials with high yield in the presence of damaging pests and diseases, and which can deliver fermented and dried cocoa beans of traditional Ghanaian quality.
7 Published Papers

Funded by CRIG/COCOBOD, GCGRA and LNV Sustainable Cocoa Subsidy Scheme (Dutch Buffer Stock)
» Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
(2005 to 2009)
A major new breeding programme with the objective of new planting materials with high yield in the presence of damaging pests and diseases, and which can deliver fermented and dried cocoa beans of traditional Ghanaian quality.
7 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(2008 to 2008)
Researcher: Dr. David Butler
CRA Ltd took over the responsibility from BCCCA for support to CRU in September 2008 and continued to provide funding for the core activities at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for a visiting scientist from CIRAD (M. Boccara). In addition to this core support, CRU received funding from WCF for the project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease and from USDA towards a collaborative activity also involving CIRAD to develop a DNA fingerprinting database for the cocoa collections of the Americas. CRU also received support from CFC and partner organisations for the CFC/ICCO/IPGRI project "Cocoa Productivity and Quality Improvement; a Participatory Approach" for activities including the germplasm enhancement programme for resistance to Black Pod and Witches' Broom disease. CRU and CRA's application for support from the Dutch Sustainable Cocoa Fund (Dutch Buffer Stock Fund) for the project "Safeguarding the ICG,T: a global resource for the cocoa industry" was successful and the work to repropagate "at risk" germplasm and install irrigation at the site was initiated towards the end of the year. Research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2005 included further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance),sensory evaluation studies, studies on the genetic basis of disease resistance and germplasm enhancement (pre-breeding) to develop a population with a high level of resistance to Black Pod and Witches’ Broom diseases.
16 Published Papers

Funded by CRUK
» University of the West Indies
(2007 to 2008)
Researcher: F. Higgins (Supervisors: D. Butler/J Flood
A research placement for an undergraduate studentship for a student from University of Bath at the Cocoa Research Unit, Trinidad. The project involved determing the factors affecting conversion of wet weight to dry weight in cocoa, as well as training in vegetative propagation, small scale fermentationa and flavour evaluation techniques.

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(2006 to 2008)
Researchers: Prof. Paul Hadley, Dr. Chris Turnbull
The London cocoa trade, through BCCCA/CRA Ltd., continues to support this long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources which was initiated in 1988 in liaison with IPGRI (now Bioversity International). The ICGD is freely available through its website and is also distributed on CD-ROM to cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources, and has become a key resource for the cocoa research community. The project is currently funded by NYSE LIFFE and is administered by CRA Ltd.
2 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA and Masterfoods/USDA
» University of Reading, UK
(2005 to 2008)
Researcher: Prof. P.Hadley
The UK industry, through BCCCA and CRA Ltd, have been supporting the safe distribution of cocoa germplasm via the quarantine facility at the University of Reading since 1982. Currently, CRA Ltd and USDA are jointly supporting the ICQC,R which provides the only international intermediate quarantine service for the safe movement of cocoa germplasm - one of the key ‘building block’ resources for the cocoa research community.
5 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(2007 to 2007)
Researcher: Dr. David Butler
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was` received for a visiting scientist from CIRAD (M. Boccara/P. Deberdt). In addition to this core support, CRU received funding from WCF for the project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease and from USDA towards a collaborative activity also involving CIRAD to develop a DNA fingerprinting database for the cocoa collections of the Americas, and also from GORTT/USDA for association mapping studies of the ICG, T collection. CRU also received support from CFC and partner organisations for the CFC/ICCO/IPGRI project "Cocoa Productivity and Quality Improvement; a Participatory Approach" for activities including the germplasm enhancement programme for resistance to Black Pod and Witches' Broom disease. CRU received support from the Dutch Sustainable Cocoa Fund (Dutch Buffer Stock Fund) and CRA for the project "Safeguarding the ICG,T: a global resource for the cocoa industry" which invovled re-propagating "at risk" germplasm and constructing irrigation reservoirs at the genebank site. Research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Projects for research on quality/post-harvest factors were also continued thanks to support from the Dutch Buffer Stock Fund (quality attributes of the ICS clones), and links with the University of Hamburg, University of Towson and the Dept of Chemistry at UWI. Activities in 2007 included further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance),sensory evaluation studies, studies on the genetic basis of disease resistance and germplasm enhancement (pre-breeding) to develop a population with a high level of resistance to Black Pod and Witches’ Broom diseases.
10 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA and GORTT
» University of the West Indies
(2000 to 2007)
Researcher: Dr. David Butler
This project set out to analyse the diversity of the extensive collection of cacao genotypes held in the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad (ICG,T) which is managed by the Cocoa Research Unit (CRU), Trinidad of the University of the West Indies (UWI). The project was funded by USDA through the Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Association of the UK (BCCCA). Over 2400 DNA samples from accessions in the ICG,T were prepared and analysed using microsatellite markers in partnership with USDA-ARS Beltsville. Moreover, DNA samples from materials originally collected from the Ecuaodorian Amazon region in the 1970s and 1980s were also analysed thanks to collaboration with INIAP, Ecuador. The research resulted in several scientific publications on the genetic diversity of material in the ICG,T and contributed towards identity verification of the accessions in the genebank
5 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(2006 to 2006)
Researcher: Dr. David Butler
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for a visiting scientist from CIRAD (M. Boccara/P. Deberdt). In addition to this core support, CRU received funding from WCF for the project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease and from USDA towards a collaborative activity also involving CIRAD to develop a DNA fingerprinting database for the cocoa collections of the Americas. CRU also received support from CFC and partner organisations for the CFC/ICCO/IPGRI project "Cocoa Productivity and Quality Improvement; a Participatory Approach" for activities including the germplasm enhancement programme for resistance to Black Pod and Witches' Broom disease. CRU received support from the Dutch Sustainable Cocoa Fund (Dutch Buffer Stock Fund) and CRA for the project "Safeguarding the ICG,T: a global resource for the cocoa industry" which invovled re-propagating "at risk" germplasm and constructing irrigation reservoirs at the genebank site. Research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. New projects for research on quality/post-harvest factors were also initiated thanks to support from the Dutch Buffer Stock Fund and a link with the University of Hambury. Activities in 2006 included further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance),sensory evaluation studies, studies on the genetic basis of disease resistance and germplasm enhancement (pre-breeding) to develop a population with a high level of resistance to Black Pod and Witches’ Broom diseases.
13 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(2004 to 2006)
Researchers: Prof. Paul Hadley/Dr. Michael Wadsworth, Dr. Caroline Ford, Dr. Chris Turnbull
The London cocoa trade, through BCCCA/CRA Ltd., continues to support this long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources which was initiated in 1988 in liaison with IPGRI (now Bioversity International). The ICGD is freely available through its website and is also distributed on CD-ROM to cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources, and has become a key resource for the cocoa research community. The project is currently funded by NYSE LIFFE and is administered by CRA Ltd.
5 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(2005 to 2005)
Researcher: Dr. David Butler
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for a visiting scientist from CIRAD (M. Boccara). In addition to this core support, CRU received funding from WCF for the project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease and from USDA towards a collaborative activity also involving CIRAD to develop a DNA fingerprinting database for the cocoa collections of the Americas. CRU also received support from CFC and partner organisations for the CFC/ICCO/IPGRI project "Cocoa Productivity and Quality Improvement; a Participatory Approach" for activities including the germplasm enhancement programme for resistance to Black Pod and Witches' Broom disease. CRU and CRA's application for support from the Dutch Sustainable Cocoa Fund (Dutch Buffer Stock Fund) for the project "Safeguarding the ICG,T: a global resource for the cocoa industry" was successful and the work to repropagate "at risk" germplasm and install irrigation at the site was initiated towards the end of the year. Research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2005 included further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance),sensory evaluation studies, studies on the genetic basis of disease resistance and germplasm enhancement (pre-breeding) to develop a population with a high level of resistance to Black Pod and Witches’ Broom diseases.
15 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA and Masterfoods
» University of Reading, UK
(2002 to 2005)
Researcher: Prof. P.Hadley
The UK industry, through BCCCA and CRA Ltd, have been supporting the safe distribution of cocoa germplasm via the quarantine facility at the University of Reading since 1982. Currently, CRA Ltd and USDA are jointly supporting the ICQC,R which provides the only international intermediate quarantine service for the safe movement of cocoa germplasm - one of the key ‘building block’ resources for the cocoa research community.
5 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of the West Indies
» University of Reading, UK
(2004 to 2004)
Researchers: Prof. M. Wilkinson, Dr. D. Butler, Prof. P. Umaharan, Dr. N. Cryer
A post-doctoral research project to investigate the genetic diversity of 17 georeferenced wild cocoa populations using a novel approach to select microsatellite markers.
1 Published Paper

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(2004 to 2004)
Researcher: Dr. David Butler
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for visiting scientists from CIRAD (M. Boccara and J-M Thevenin). The WCF (formerly ACRI) project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease continued work to confirm the reactions of some promising clones from the previous phase of the work (1998-2003). CRU initiated activities as part of the CFC/ICCO/IPGRI project "Cocoa Productivity and Quality Improvement; a Participatory Approach" building on the research undertaken in the earlier CFC/ICCO/IPGRI project "Germplasm Conservation and Utilisation" but including germplasm enhancement for Witches' Broom resistance. CRU continued its invovlement in another CFC supported project "To establish the physical, chemical and organoleptic parameters differentiating fine and bulk cocoa". CRU also continued its invovlement in a project with USDA to develop a DNA fingerprinting database for all major cacao collections in the Americas. Initial results suggest that there is relatively little duplication of germplasm in the collection of original trees in Marper Farm,demonstating that this is a valuable reference for identification of cacao accessions. Research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2004 included further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance),sensory evaluation studies, studies on the genetic basis of disease resistance and germplasm enhancement (pre-breeding) to develop a population with a high level of resistance to Black Pod and Witches’ Broom diseases.
18 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(2002 to 2004)
Researchers: Prof. Paul Hadley/Dr. Michael Wadsworth, Dr. Caroline Ford/Dr Chris Turnbull
The London cocoa trade (NYSE-LIFFE), through BCCCA/CRA Ltd., continued to support this long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources which was initiated in 1988 in liaison with IPGRI (now Alliance Bioversity International-CIAT). The ICGD is freely available through its website and was distributed on CD-ROM in 2004 to over 50 cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources. New features included the ability to view data graphically (histogram or plot), to import clone lists from text files and improved methods for data output. ICGD Online (www.icgd.rdg.ac.uk) has been considerably improved with the inclusion of new links to view photographs, full references, research station addresses and information on the origins of group names. New pages have been added that allow microsatellite data to be viewed and compared (currently exact matches and possible parents). Collaborative work continued with CIRAD on the new genomic database, CocoaGenDB, which can be used to access genomic and characteristics data. Interactive sessions on using ICGD were held at the International Cocoa Research Conference and INGENIC workshop in Accra in October 2003. The ICGD project developed a ‘Field Guide of Widely Distributed Clones’ as part of the CFC/ICCO/Bioversity projects on cocoa germplasm conservation and utilisation.
2 Published Papers

Funded by CRUK
» University of Reading, UK
(2001 to 2004)
Researcher: C.Rodriguez Lopez (Supervisor: Dr. A. Wetten)
A PhD research project which set out to examine variation at the genetic level in somatic embryos produced using a tissue culture technique. This project constituted the first large-scale molecular characterisation of changes that occur during primary and secondary somatic embryogenesis in cocoa. The novel techniques developed during the project allow a rapid assessment of variation at both genetic and epi-genetic levels. The effects of time in culture, embryo origin, and genotype on somaclonal variation were assessed and this enabled recommendations to be made on the most appropriate procedures to reduce the risk of mutation/variation in somatic embryo production.
8 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA and CABI Publishing
(2001 to 2004)
Researcher: Dr. Basil G.D. Bartley
The BCCCA have had a long commitment to the improvement of the cocoa crop and the conservation and utilisation of cacao germplasm. It was therefore entirely appropriate that it should provide some financial support towards the publication of a book capturing the wealth of knowledge that Dr. Bartley had accumulated through his extensive research and personal participation in cacao collecting expeditions and germplasm management activities during a distinguished career lasting over 40 years.
1 Published Paper

Funded by CRUK
» University of Reading, UK
(2001 to 2004)
Researchers: P. Hadley, A.Daymond
A post-doctoral research project to investigate the responses of different varieties of cocoa to changes in temperature, light levels and water stress under greenhouse and field conditions with a view to matching varieties to local growing conditions.
5 Published Papers

Funded by CRUK
» University of Reading, UK
(2000 to 2004)
Researcher: Y. Charters (Supervisors: Dr. M. Wilkinson
A post-graduate research project to develop a new genetic fingerprinting technique based on ISSR-PCR which could be used to distinguish large numbers of closely related accessions and link genetic markers with traits of interest to breeders.
5 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA and CFC and other co-financiers
» Bioversity International
(1998 to 2004)
Co-financing and counterpart funding for activities at Cocoa Research Unit (Trinidad) and the Univ. of Reading, which formed part of this global project which involved 11 institutions from West Africa, the Americas, SE Asia and Europe.
10 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(2003 to 2003)
Researcher: Dr. David Butler
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for visiting scientists from CIRAD (M. Boccara and J-M Thevenin). The American Cocoa Research Institute's five year project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease was completed in July 2003 with the screening of over 1000 accessions, and was extended for a further year. The CFC/ICCO/IPGRI project "Cocoa Germplasm Conservation and Utilisation" came to an end in 2003 though activities on the germplasm enhancement trials and refinement of the CFC project collection continued. CRU continued its invovlement in another CFC supported project "To establish the physical, chemical and organoleptic parameters differentiating fine and bulk cocoa". CRU also participated in the project to develop a DNA fingerprinting database for all major cacao collections in the Americas by extracting DNA from ICG,T accessions for microsatellite analysis at USDA Beltsville. Research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2003 included the transfer to Trinidad of the remaining clones from the Barbados Quarantine Station which was scheduled for closure, further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance),sensory evaluation studies, studies on the genetic basis of disease resistance and germplasm enhancement (pre-breeding) to develop a population with a high level of resistance to Black Pod and Witches’ Broom diseases.
11 Published Papers

Funded by GCGRA
» Centre National Recherches Agriculture, Cote d'Ivoire
» Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
(2001 to 2003)
Researcher: Abdoulaye Traore
A two year research project which established somatic embryogenesis technology at both CNRA and CRIG and used this to propagate promising selections which had been identified by farmers.
1 Published Paper

Funded by CRUK
» University of Reading, UK
(2000 to 2003)
Researchers: Dr. M. Wilkinson, Dr. Nicholas Cryer, Dr. Yvonne Charters
The main objective of this project was to fingerprint all material held in the Reading Intermediate Quarantine Collection and to generate a SNP-based marker system that is fully transferable, related to target genes, and could be applied with minimal equipment. The programme of work was adjusted to take account of a USDA initiated programme to use the microsatellites generated at CIRAD to fingerprint Germplasm collections in the Americas. Allelic standards were created for each locus to replace the generic standards previously used to ensure transferability of results between laboratories. A total of 89 SNPs were identified across divergent material and these generated 39 CAPS markers across 30 loci. Some of these markers were used to screen large numbers of genotypes.
8 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
» lnstituto Nacional de Investigaciones AgroPecuarias, Ecuador
(1994 to 2003)
Researchers: Dr. David Butler, Dr. Vish Mooleedhar
The London Cocoa Trade Amazon Project (See LCTAP 1979-1985) undertaken with the full support of INIAP, Ecuador was successful in collecting over 1400 samples of wild and landrace germplasm and establishing them in a remote field collection in San Carlos, Napo Province, Ecuador. As part of the LCTAP project, some of this material was distributed, via quarantine, to genebanks for long term conservation and utilisation. However, many of the accesssions remained unduplicated outside of the San Carlos collection and were at risk of genetic erosion. BCCCA supported several missions to help ensure that these valuable genetic resources were duplicated in the INIAP Pichilingue genebank in Quevedo, Ecuador and distributed to other genebanks, particularly the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad via quarantine. In the latter phases of the project, efforts were made to reinvigorate the trees in the San Carlos field collection through fertiliser application, phytosanitation and pruning. This treatment was necessary to stimulate the trees into producing new growth suitable for propagation. Grafted plants were initially established in the INIAP genebank at Pichilingue and material propagated for onwards transfer to quarantine (usually Miami/Barbados and Reading). Missions in 1989/91 were successful in transferring 27 clones, and further missions in 1994/95 resulted in the establishment of 31 clones in Barbados Quarantine Facility. Following the 1999-2001 phase of the project, 85 LCT-EEN accessions had been established in Pichilingue, and plants of 70 of these clones had been established in the Barbados Quarantine Facility
8 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(2002 to 2002)
Researcher: Dr. David Butler
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for visiting scientists from CIRAD (O. Sounigo and J-M Thevenin) and GORTT (V. Mooleedhar). Other projects include the American Cocoa Research Institute's project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease and the Common Fund for Commodities/ICCO/IPGRI project "Cocoa germplasm conservation and utilisation: a global approach". A new collaborative project with USDA was initiated in 2001 to compile a genetic fingerprint database of germplasm in South American collections. CRU agreed to extract DNA from every accession in the ICG,T and send samples to USDA Beltsville for microsatellite analysis with an automatic sequencer. Other research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2001 included the continuation of the CRU/INIAP initiative to conserve the LCT-EEN material by replicating materials held in the field genebank at San Carlos, Ecuador for dissemination to EETP and CRU (via Barbados Quarantine Station), further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance),sensory evaluation studies, studies on the genetic basis of disease resistance and germplasm enhancement (pre-breeding) to develop a population with a high level of resistance to Black Pod and Witches’ Broom diseases.
13 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(2000 to 2002)
Researchers: Dr. Paul Hadley/Dr. Michael Wadsworth, Dr. Michelle End (to end Nov 2000)
The London cocoa trade (LIFFE), through BCCCA/CRA Ltd., continued to support this long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources which was initiated in 1988 in liaison with IPGRI (now Alliance Bioversity International-CIAT). The ICGD is freely available through its website and in 2001 was distributed on CD-ROM to over 50 cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources. During this phase of the project ICGD Online (www.icgd.rdg.ac.uk) has been considerably improved with the inclusion of new links to view photographs, full references, research station addresses and information on the origins of group names. New pages have been added that allow microsatellite data to be viewed and compared (currently exact matches and possible parents).
4 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA and Masterfoods (from 2001)
» University of Reading, UK
(1999 to 2002)
Researcher: Prof. P.Hadley
The UK industry, through BCCCA and CRA Ltd, have been supporting the safe distribution of cocoa germplasm via the quarantine facility at the University of Reading since 1982. Currently, CRA Ltd and USDA are jointly supporting the ICQC,R which provides the only international intermediate quarantine service for the safe movement of cocoa germplasm - one of the key ‘building block’ resources for the cocoa research community.

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(2001 to 2001)
Researcher: Dr. David Butler
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for visiting scientists from CIRAD (O. Sounigo and J-M Thevenin) and GORTT (V. Mooleedhar). Other projects include the American Cocoa Research Institute's project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease and the Common Fund for Commodities/ICCO/IPGRI project "Cocoa germplasm conservation and utilisation: a global approach". A new collaborative project with USDA was initiated in 2001 to compile a genetic fingerprint database of germplasm in South American collections. CRU agreed to extract DNA from every accession in the ICG,T and send samples to USDA Beltsville for microsatellite analysis with an automatic sequencer. Other research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2001 included the continuation of the CRU/INIAP initiative to conserve the LCT-EEN material by replicating materials held in the field genebank at San Carlos, Ecuador for dissemination to EETP and CRU (via Barbados Quarantine Station), further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance),sensory evaluation studies, studies on the genetic basis of disease resistance and germplasm enhancement (pre-breeding) to develop a population with a high level of resistance to Black Pod and Witches’ Broom diseases.
12 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(2000 to 2000)
Researcher: Dr. David Butler
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for visiting scientists from CIRAD (O. Sounigo and J-M Thevenin) and GORTT (V. Mooleedhar). Other projects include the American Cocoa Research Institute's project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease, the CAOBISCO project "Use of molecular markers to identify the genetic basis of resistance to Black Pod disease (Phytophthora) and identify early screening markers (completed September 2000) and the Common Fund for Commodities/ICCO/IPGRI project "Cocoa germplasm conservation and utilisation: a global approach". Research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 2000 included the continuation of the CRU/INIAP initiative to conserve the LCT-EEN material by replicating materials held in the field genebank at San Carlos, Ecuador for dissemination to EETP and CRU (via Barbados Quarantine Station), further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance),sensory evaluation studies, studies on the genetic basis of disease resistance and germplasm enhancement (pre-breeding) to develop a population with a high level of resistance to Black Pod and Witches’ Broom diseases.
7 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
(2000 to 2000)
The BCCCA have had a long commitment to the improvement of the cocoa crop and undertook to hold a meeting of scientists involved in molecular characterisation of cocoa germplasm. The objectives of this colloquium were for interested scientists to share results, coordinate projects, and work towards a vision of a worldwide cocoa enhanced breeding programme. The colloquium was held at CIRAD on the 21st September 2000 and was attended by around 30 scientists. Presentations were made by BCCCA, CRU Trinidad, the University of Reading, USDA, CIRAD, and the ICGD, followed by open discussions on the future of germplasm characterisation using molecular tools. The participants agreed on the need for a coordinated effort to use molecular technology for the improved conservationa and utilisation of cocoa genetic resources. The outputs were presented to the wider cocoa community at the INGENIC workshop "New Technologies in Cocoa Breeding" held in 2000
1 Published Paper

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(1999 to 1999)
Researcher: Dr. David Butler
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for visiting scientists from CIRAD (O. Sounigo and J-M Thevenin) and GORTT (V. Mooleedhar). Other projects include the American Cocoa Research Institute's project to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease, the CAOBISCO project "Use of molecular markers to identify the genetic basis of resistance to Black Pod disease (Phytophthora) and identify early screening markers and the Common Fund for Commodities/ICCO/IPGRI project "Cocoa germplasm conservation and utilisation: a global approach". Research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 1999 included a CRU/INIAP initiative to conserve the LCT-EEN material by replicating materials held in the field genebank at San Carlos, Ecuador for dissemination to EETP and CRU (via Barbados Quarantine Station), further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance),sensory evaluation studies, studies on the genetic basis of disease resistance and germplasm enhancement (pre-breeding) to develop a population with a high level of resistance to Black Pod and Witches’ Broom diseases.
9 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
» University of Reading, UK
(1999 to 1999)
Researcher: Prof.M.Wilkinson
A short project to study the levels of genetic diversity present in material collected by the Guyana Cocoa Initiative from uncultivated sources and also to genetically fingerprint the materials held in the Timehri Genebank.

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(1999 to 1999)
Researchers: Dr. Paul Hadley/Dr. Michael Wadsworth, Dr. Michelle End
This long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources was initiated in 1988 in liaison with IPGRI (now Alliance Bioversity International-CIAT) and is supported by the London cocoa trade. The ICGD is freely available in computerised and printed formats to cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources. It has become a key resource for the cocoa research community and is currently funded by NYSE LIFFE and is administered by CRA Ltd.

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(1996 to 1999)
Researcher: Prof. P.Hadley
The UK industry, through BCCCA and CRA Ltd, have been supporting the safe distribution of cocoa germplasm via the quarantine facility at the University of Reading since 1982. Currently, CRA Ltd and USDA are jointly supporting the ICQC,R which provides the only international intermediate quarantine service for the safe movement of cocoa germplasm - one of the key ‘building block’ resources for the cocoa research community.

Funded by BCCCA
» University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
(1995 to 1999)
Researcher: Dr. M. Johnston
Very little is known of the type or presence of wild cocoa found in Guyana, although studies of material collected in recent years from neighbouring French Guiana suggest that this germplasm is markedly different to other Lower Amazon types. Furthermore, the French Guiana material has shown some potential as a source of resistance to Witches’ broom disease. A series of short expeditions were undertaken in 1995, 1996 and 1998 to prospect for wild and landrace cocoa types in the forest areas of southern Guyana and to help re-establish the Guyana National Cocoa Genebank. BCCCA contributed to the expedition costs, allowing a number of students to participate. An associated genetic fingerprinting study showed that some of the material collected was very different to most other accessions held in international genebanks.
3 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(1998 to 1998)
Researcher: Dr. David Butler
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). Additional support was received for visiting scientists from CIRAD (O. Sounigo and J-M Thevenin), GORTT (V. Mooleedhar), Nestle (J. Reneau) and CRIG (A. Karimu). The American Cocoa Research Institute's project to evaluate genotypic variation in cocoa butter content of seeds came to an end in 1998 and a new project was started to evaluate accessions from ICG,T for their reaction to Witches' Broom disease. Research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation. Activities in 1998 included further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and identification purposes using morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques, evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance),sensory evaluation studies, studies on the genetic basis of disease resistance and germplasm enhancement (pre-breeding) to develop a population with a high level of resistance to Black Pod and Witches’ Broom diseases.
13 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(1998 to 1998)
Researchers: Dr. Paul Hadley/Dr. Michael Wadsworth, Dr. Michelle End
This long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources was initiated in 1988 in liaison with IPGRI (now Bioversity International) and is supported by the London cocoa trade. The ICGD is freely available in computerised and printed formats to cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources. It has become a key resource for the cocoa research community and is currently funded by NYSE LIFFE and is administered by CRA Ltd.

Funded by BCCCA and CFC project partners including IPGRI, CIRAD,ACRI
» University of the West Indies
(1994 to 1998)
Researchers: David Butler, David Iwaro
Cacao accessions with a wide genetic base and useful traits are selected for inclusion in a germplasm enhancement programme. The priority trait in the current programme is resistance to Black Pod disease and accessions in the ICG,T are being systematically evaluated using a detached pod inoculation method to determine their disease reaction. Crosses are made by controlled pollination of parents and seedling progeny are raised in a greenhouse for evaluation. Seedlings are evaluated for Black Pod at an early stage using a leaf disc inoculation method and, by grafting the parental clones onto rootstocks, tests on young leaves from the parents can be compared with those from the progeny. Segregation in the progeny provides the possibility of selecting seedlings with more resistance to Black Pod than the parents.
20 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of the West Indies
(1980 to 1998)
BCCCA used to provide support for a greenhouse facility in Barbados to quarantine materials entering the ICG,T. Since 1998 this function has been undertaken by the International Cocoa Quarantine Centre, University of Reading.

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(1997 to 1997)
Researchers: Prof. John Spence (to August 1997), Dr. David Butler (from September 1997)
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the core activities at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Additional support was received from CIRAD for two visiting scientists (O. Sounigo and J-M Thevenin) and from the American Cocoa Research Institute for a project to evaluate genotypic variation in cocoa butter content of seeds. Research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation; Data management; Research and Training; Publications and International Collaboration. Activities in 1997 included a study of the morphological variation in the germplasm collected from the Maya mountains of Southern Belize, further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and evaluation for characters including those of economic interest (e.g. bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance),sensory evaluation studies, studies on the genetic basis of disease resistance and germplasm enhancement (pre-breeding) to develop a population with a high level of resistance to Black Pod and Witches’ Broom diseases.
18 Published Papers

Funded by CRUK
» University of Reading, UK
(1997 to 1997)
Researcher: Dr. M.J. Wilkinson
A short project to evaluate the potential of the Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR)-PCR technique to assess levels of homozygosity/heterozygosity in cocoa germplasm.

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(1997 to 1997)
Researchers: Dr. Paul Hadley/Dr. Michael Wadsworth, Dr. Michelle End
This long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources was initiated in 1988 in liaison with IPGRI (now Bioversity International) and is supported by the London cocoa trade. The ICGD is freely available in computerised and printed formats to cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources. It has become a key resource for the cocoa research community and is currently funded by NYSE LIFFE and is administered by CRA Ltd.
1 Published Paper

Funded by CRA and Cocoa Research UK (CRUK)
» University of Reading, UK
(1996 to 1997)
Researchers: Y. Charters (Supervisors: Dr. A. Culham, Dr. M.J. Wilkinson, Dr. P. Hadley
CRA made a contribution to a CRUK supported short project to evaluate the potential of the Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR)-PCR technique for the genetic characterisation of cocoa germplasm. After preliminary work to select the five most suitable primers, tests on 50 plants (including some full- and half-sibs) showed that the technique could distinguish all of the genotypes except for a small group which were likely to be seedlings from a highly homozygous parental type. A ring-test was conducted involving six laboratories demonstrated that reproducible PCR banding profiles can be obtained using SSR-PCR providing that care is taken to ensure that the reagents and reaction mixes are standardised between the laboratories
2 Published Papers

Funded by CRUK
» University of Reading, UK
(1996 to 1997)
Researchers: Y. Charters (Supervisors: Dr. A. Culham, Dr. M.J. Wilkinson, Dr. P. Hadley
A short project to evaluate the potential of the Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR)-PCR technique for the genetic characterisation of cocoa germplasm.
2 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and Government of Belize, University of Cleveland
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» Cocoa Research Unit, Trinidad & Tobago (now CRC)
(1992 to 1997)
Researcher: Mr. V. Mooleedhar
BCCCA support enabled a scientist working at Cocoa Research Unit (CRU), University of the West Indies, Trinidad to participate in a series of expeditions to the Maya Mountain region of Belize to prospect for uncultivated cacao material. During the prospection criollo cocoa types were found as well established understorey plants in certain regions of the Maya Mountains. Along with the collection of both vegetative and seed samples substantial passport data and botanical observation were made in the field, confirming the material to possess classical criollo morphology. Samples were established in the germplasm collection managed by Cocoa Research Unit via quarantine in Barbados Quarantine Unit.
6 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(1996 to 1996)
Researcher: Prof. John Spence
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the work at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago with additional support from CIRAD for visiting scientists and with funding from the American Cocoa Research Institute for a project to evaluate genotypic variation in cocoa butter content of seeds. The research continued to be centred around the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad (ICG,T). Agreement was reached to use the remaining part of the European Development Fund grant (which established the ICG,T) to support the "International Workshop on the Utilisation of the Genetic Resources of the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad" held in June 1996 . The event brought breeders and other researchers from many cocoa producing countries for discussions on pre-breeding, quarantine,data accessibility and training needs amongst other topics. It also provided an opportunity for discussions on the IPGRI proposal "Cocoa Germplasm Utilisation and Conservation- A Global Approach" which was being developed for submission to CFC via the ICCO. Research at CRU continued to be organised under the following work programmes - Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation; Data management; Research and Training; Publications and International Collaboration. Activities in 1996 included participation in initiatives to collect germplasm from the Maya mountains of Southern Belize, further characterisation of ICG,T accessions for genetic diversity analysis and evaluation for characters including bean characteristics, fat content, pod hardness and disease resistance.
13 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(1996 to 1996)
Researchers: Dr. Paul Hadley/Dr. Michael Wadsworth, Michelle End
This long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources was initiated in 1988 in liaison with IPGRI (now Bioversity International) and is supported by the London cocoa trade. The ICGD is freely available in computerised and printed formats to cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources. It has become a key resource for the cocoa research community and is currently funded by NYSE LIFFE and is administered by CRA Ltd.

Funded by BCCCA
» BAL Plantations, Malaysia
(1996 to 1996)
A short project to photograph the accessions in the BAL Plantations collection for inclusion in the ICGD.

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(1994 to 1996)
Researchers: Dr. Paul Hadley/Dr. Michael Wadsworth, Dr. Michelle End
In 1994, the London cocoa trade agreed that its contributions to the BCCCA research programme should be used to support the International Cocoa Germplasm Database project which had been initiated in 1988 to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources in liaison with IPGRI (now Bioversity International). The ICGD was distributed in computerised form to cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources, and has become a key resource for the cocoa research community. [The project has continued and is currently funded by NYSE LIFFE and is administered by CRA Ltd].
2 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA and Malaysian Cocoa Board
» University of Reading, UK
(1993 to 1996)
Researcher: Prof. P.Hadley
The UK industry, through BCCCA and CRA Ltd, have been supporting the safe distribution of cocoa germplasm via the quarantine facility at the University of Reading since 1982. Currently, CRA Ltd and USDA are jointly supporting the ICQC,R which provides the only international intermediate quarantine service for the safe movement of cocoa germplasm - one of the key ‘building block’ resources for the cocoa research community.
3 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(1995 to 1995)
Researcher: Prof. John Spence
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the work at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago with additional support from CIRAD for two visiting scientists and with funding from the American Cocoa Research Institute for a project to evaluate genotypic variation in cocoa butter content of seeds. The research continued to be centred around the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad (ICG,T) which was established with support from the European Development Fund and which had been recognised as an international collection by IBPGR/IPGRI. The generous support from the European Union came to an end in 1994 on schedule but a number of students who had been supported by this grant completed their studies in 1995. Research at CRU continues to be organised under the work programmes are Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation; Data management; Research and Training; Publications and International Collaboration. Activities in 1995 included participation in initiatives to collect/transfer germplasm from Ecuador and French Guiana, studies of environmental effects on phenotype expression, use of molecular markers to assess genetic diversity, confirm identity and in genome mapping, field and laboratory based evaluation of disease resistance, and the influence of fermentation on flavour and quality characteristics.
23 Published Papers

Funded by CRUK
» University of Reading, UK
(1995 to 1995)
Researchers: M.J.Wilkinson, N.Cryer
Pyrosequencing is a new technique that allows for real time, simultaneous sequencing of DNA of up to 96 samples. The system has been widely used in medical genetics for screening for single base sequence mutations associated with genetically inherited disease but there has only been a couple of papers that use the technique on plants. The recently aquired pyrosequencer at The University of Reading will be used in a feasibility study to assess the value of the technique for large-scale screening of trees for valuable alleles of resistance genes

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(1995 to 1995)
Researchers: Dr. Paul Hadley/Dr. Michael Wadsworth, Dr. Michelle End
The London cocoa trade, through BCCCA/CRA Ltd., continued to support this long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources. In this phase of the project, a second MS-DOS version of the ICGD was distributed widely to cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources. The project has continued to develop and is now a key resource for the cocoa research community, funded by NYSE LIFFE and administered by CRA Ltd.
2 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(1985 to 1995)
Researcher: Prof. John Spence
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the work at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The research continued to be centred around the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad (ICG,T) which was established with support from the European Development Fund and which had been recognised as an international collection by IBPGR. The Genetic Resources programme (led by Dr. Kennedy and Mrs Gonsalves) included characterisation of the accessions in the ICG,T using isozymes in the 1980's and the introduction of new techniques based on RFLP and RAPD in the 1990s

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(1994 to 1994)
Researcher: Prof. John Spence
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the work at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The research continued to be centred around the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad (ICG,T) which was established with support from the European Development Fund and which had been recognised as an international collection by IBPGR/IPGRI. The generous support from the European Union came to an end in 1994 on schedule and a number of the post-graduate students that had been supported by this grant completed their studies. Mr. Mooleedhar's secondment from the Ministry also came to an end, though GORTT kindly permitted him to continue to carry out the duties of Agronomist with no charge to CRU. As the EU funding came to a close, it was agreed that an evaluation of the project should be conducted and this Evaluation Mission was carried out by Drs. Engels and Dyce. One of the recommendations made in the Evaluation report was that greater emphasis should be placed on CRU's work programmes and a new format for the Annual Report was adopted to reflect this. These work programmes are Conservation; Characterisation; Evaluation and Utilisation; Data management; Research and Training; Publications and International Collaboration. Activities in 1994 included the production of two CRU Newsletters, analysis of pod indices data and isozyme/RAPD data, development of a new propagation technique, and evaluation of germplasm for Black Pod and Witches' Broom diseases together with further research on the organisms causing these diseases.
20 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(1993 to 1993)
Researcher: Prof. John Spence
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the work at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The research continued to be centred around the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad (ICG,T) which was established with support from the European Development Fund and which had been recognised as an international collection by IBPGR/IPGRI. CRU had also benefitted from support from the European Economic Community towards a number of post-graduate students from the ACP countries and two visiting scientists from CIRAD (Dr. M. Ducamp and Mr. O. Sounigo). In 1993, research focussed on assessing phenotypic diversity within the ICG,T using morphological descriptors (led by F. Bekele) and its genetic diversity using isozymesand RAPD analysis (O. Sounigo, Y. Christopher, S. Misir). Research on aspects of cocoa physiology, including responses to drought and high light levels continued and the pathology section studied relationships between leaf and pod resistance to Black Pod infection and aspects of Witches' Broom infection. Dr. J. Warren (breeder/geneticist) left CRU in June 1993.
26 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(1993 to 1993)
Researchers: Dr Paul Hadley/Dr. Michael Wadsworth, Dr. Michelle End
The International Cocoa Germplasm Database project continued to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources and establish itself as a key resource for those interested in cocoa breeding and genetic resources. It continued to build links with the cocoa genebanks and research institutes who contributed the data on the characteristics of their accessions and developed software to help make this information more easily accessible. The project has continued and is currently funded by NYSE LIFFE and is administered by CRA Ltd.
2 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA and Malaysian Cocoa Board, ODA (for Ghana)
» University of Reading, UK
(1990 to 1993)
Researcher: Prof. P.Hadley
The UK industry, through BCCCA and CRA Ltd, have been supporting the safe distribution of cocoa germplasm via the quarantine facility at the University of Reading since 1982.In 1991, the virus indexing procedure was modified to extend the visual inspection period from 18 months to 24 months due to the detection of virus symptoms in a clone 20 months after its introduction. The project has continued for over 30 years and is currently supported by CRA Ltd and USDA (see CRA current projects for further details). The ICQC,R continues to provide the only international intermediate quarantine service for the safe movement of cocoa germplasm - one of the key ‘building block’ resources for the cocoa research community.
3 Published Papers

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(1992 to 1992)
Researcher: Prof. John Spence
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the work at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The research continued to be centred around the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad (ICG,T) which was established with support from the European Development Fund and which had been recognised as an international collection by IBPGR. CRU had also benefitted from support from the European Economic Community towards a number of post-graduate students from the ACP countries and a visiting scientist from CIRAD. In 1992, research focussed on characterising the accessions in the ICG,T using morphological descriptors (led by F. Bekele) and isozymes (Y. Christopher, E. Johnson, F. Hosein, J. Warren) and evaluating their resistance to rodents (D. Emamdie, J. Warren) and studies of the breeding system (K.Kalai, J.Warren). Aspects of pathology research included fungicide application methods (T. Sreenivasan) and further studies of the biology of Phytophthora spp. (Black Pod Rot) and Crinipellis (now Moniliophthora) perniciosa. CRU organised a Workshop entitled "Conservation, Characterisation and Utilisation of Cocoa Genetic Resources in the 21st Century" which was attended by over 50 delegates from 22 different countries.
28 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(1992 to 1992)
Researchers: Dr. Paul Hadley, Dr. Michelle End
The International Cocoa Germplasm Database project continued to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources and establish itself as a key resource for those interested in cocoa breeding and genetic resources. It continued to build links with the cocoa genebanks and research institutes who contributed the data on the characteristics of their accessions and developed software to help make this information more easily accessible. The project has continued and is currently funded by NYSE LIFFE and is administered by CRA Ltd.
3 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
» BAL Plantations, Malaysia
» University of the West Indies
(1989 to 1992)
Researcher: J.H.H. Yapp (SUpervisor: Prof. P. Hadley)
This was a post-graduate student project to investigate the physiological determinants of growth in juvenile cocoa and also yield development in immature and mature cocoa through a combination of greenhouse studies at the University of Reading, UK and field studies in Trinidad and Malaysia in partnership with CRU and BAL Plantations Sdn Bhd respectively. Genotypic variation in response to environmental factors was noted and the importance of light interception and distribution within the canopy in limiting productivity in cocoa germplasm was highlighted. Results from simulation developed in this study confirmed the importance of incoming solar radiation, light extinction coefficient and leaf nitrogen content in influencing radiation use efficiency nitrogen use efficiency and dry matter production.
7 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of the West Indies
(1989 to 1992)
Researcher: Prof. John Spence
The objective of this project was to collect germplasm from Trinidad & Tobago, and the wider Caribbean and Latin American region, to augment the collection in the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad (ICG,T)
8 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA and University of Birmingham, UK
(1988 to 1992)
Researcher: Dr Michael T Jackson
Preliminary work to assess feasibility of collecting and conserving wild cocoa in Peru.Dr.M.T. Jackson of University of Birmingham visited Peru and held preliminary discussions with INIAA to assess the possibility of organising a collecting expedition to the Loreto and Madre de Dios regions of Peru. Unfortunately the project was not implemented since the security situation deteriorated in Peru in 1990.

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(1991 to 1991)
Researcher: Prof. John Spence
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the work at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The research continued to be centred around the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad (ICG,T) which was established with support from the European Development Fund and which had been recognised as an international collection by IBPGR. CRU had also benefitted from support from the European Economic Community towards a number of post-graduate students from the ACP countries. The research group at CRU was complemented by the appointment of a new breeder/geneticist, Dr. John Warren, and visiting scientists from CIRAD (Dr. M. Ducamp) and the University of Reading (Dr. T. Pettitt). BCCCA provided support for two staff members, Felicia Hosein and Elizabeth Johnson, to spend 3 months at the Scottish Crop Research Institute gaining knowledge on the use of RAPD (Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA) technology. During 1991 CRU staff and students continued to focus their research on the accessions of the ICG,T including morphological and biochemical characterisation, inheritance of bean size characteristics and resistance to Phytophthora in leaf tissue. Pathology research included epidemiology of Phytophthora spp. and the identification of a new pod disease (Ceratocystis paradoxa). Students also carried out research on aspects of cocoa physiololgy including the effects of shade on growth.
20 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(1991 to 1991)
Researchers: Dr P. Hadley, Dr RM Wadsworth, Michelle End
In the third year of this long standing project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources, a printed version of the database was released to cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources. The database became known as the International Cocoa Germplasm Database and further information on the origins, current locations and characteristics of cocoa clones was collated into a computerised database in collaboration with cocoa research institutes, universities and individuals working in the area of cocoa genetic resources. The project has continued and is currently funded by ICE Cocoa Futures Europe and is administered by CRA Ltd.
2 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA and United Plantations, Malaysia
(1991 to 1991)
Researcher: Dr. John Clapperton
BCCCA provided support for the equipment needed to undertake some studies on in vitro axillary bud culture, using the techniques developed by W Flynn and colleagues at Penn State University

Funded by CRA*
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
» lnstituto Nacional de Investigaciones AgroPecuarias, Ecuador
(1988 to 1991)
Researcher: Dr. Alan Maddison
Chalmers collected cocoa germplasm from the Eastern Region of Ecuador in the 1970s and material was established in a field genebank set up by INIAP. However, many of the accesssions remained unduplicated outside of this genebank and were at risk of genetic erosion. This project set out to replant the collection at a new site in INIAP and eventually transfer material to the ICG,T in Trinidad.

Funded by CRA* and IBPGR
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» Cocoa Research Unit, Trinidad & Tobago (now CRC)
» University of Reading, UK
(1988 to 1991)
Researchers: Dr. A J Kennedy, Dr B Pickersgill
Isozyme characterization of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) germplasm (continuation of a project initiated by CRA Ltd)
9 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA and GORTT
» University of the West Indies
(1990 to 1990)
Researcher: Prof. John Spence
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the work at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The research continued to be centred around the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad (ICG,T) which was established with support from the European Development Fund and which had been recognised as an international collection by IBPGR. During this period, the Genetic Resources programme (led by Dr. Kennedy and Mrs Gonsalves) continued to focus on the morphological and isozyme characterisation of the accessions in the ICG,T. Some work was undertaken on cocoa physiology including an MPhil study of drought resistance and research by J.H.H. Yapp, a visiting scientist from University of Reading. The Pathology programme (led by Dr. Sreenivasan) continued to investigate the biology of Black Pod and Witches Broom diseases. Dr. T. Pettitt, another visiting scientist from the University of Reading, undertook research on copper-impregnated collars as a potential way to control black pod disease. BCCCA also provided additional support for work on isozymes and to support a Botanist/Collector who was appointed in late 1989 to acquire new accessions for the ICG,T.
3 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(1989 to 1990)
Researchers: Paul Hadley, Michelle End
This was an extension to a pilot project to collate and disseminate information on cocoa genetic resources in liaison with IPGRI (now Bioversity International). The database of Primitive Cocoa Germplasm was expanded to include selected material and data on clone characteristics. The project has continued to develop and is currently funded by NYSE LIFFE and is administered by CRA Ltd.
1 Published Paper

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(1989 to 1990)
Researcher: Prof. P.Hadley
The UK industry, through BCCCA and CRA Ltd, have been supporting the safe distribution of cocoa germplasm via the quarantine facility at the University of Reading since 1982. Currently, CRA Ltd and USDA are jointly supporting the ICQC,R which provides the only international intermediate quarantine service for the safe movement of cocoa germplasm - one of the key ‘building block’ resources for the cocoa research community.
1 Published Paper

Funded by CRA*
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» lnstituto Nacional de Investigaciones AgroPecuarias, Ecuador
(1988 to 1990)
Researcher: Ing. J Vera B
BCCCA provided support to INIAP EETP Pichilingue to conserve the materials collected as part of the Expedition to the Oriente region of Ecuador led by Chalmers and INIAP staff in 1969 and 1973 (and some of the material collected during the LCTAP expedition). The objective was to re-propagate material held in the field genebank, and at high risk of loss, so that they could be established in the genebank at Pichilingue, and managed so that they could be eventually be used by the scientific community.

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(1988 to 1989)
Researchers: Dr. Paul Hadley/Dr. Michael Wadsworth, Michelle End
This was a pilot project to collate information on cocoa genetic resources with a view to making the information more widely available to the cocoa research community. The first output from the project, released as ‘The Catalogue of Primitive Cocoa Germplasm’ in 1989, was distributed in computerised form to cocoa research institutes and others with an interest in cacao genetic resources. It contained information on the origins and current distribution of cocoa germplasm collected from the wild since 1938.
1 Published Paper

Funded by BCCCA and MCGC, CDC,
» University of Reading, UK
(1988 to 1989)
Researcher: Prof. P.Hadley
The UK industry, through BCCCA and CRA Ltd, have been supporting the safe distribution of cocoa germplasm via the quarantine facility at the University of Reading since 1982. In 1989, 147 accessions were held including clones transferred from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and new introductions from ICG,T (Trinidad), CIRAD (France) and USDA (Miami). An additional polythene tunnel at the Shinfield Grange site of the University was constructed to accomodate the materials. The project has continued for over 30 years and is currently supported by CRA Ltd and USDA (see CRA Current Projects). It continues to provide an international intermediate quarantine service for the safe movement of cocoa germplasm - one of the key ‘building block’ resources for the cocoa research community.
1 Published Paper

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(1987 to 1989)
Researchers: Dr. A.J. Kennedy (Head to Nov. 1988), Prof. L.A. Wilson (acting Head Dec. 1988-July 1989), Prof. J.A. Spence (from August 1989).
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the work at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The research continued to be centred around the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad (ICG,T) which was established with support from the European Development Fund and which had been recognised as an international collection by IBPGR. During this period, the Genetic Resources programme (led by Dr. Kennedy and Mrs Gonsalves) continued to focus on the morphological and isozyme characterisation of the accessions in the ICG,T. Some work was undertaken on cocoa physiology including an MPhil study of drought resistance and research by J.H.H. Yapp, a visiting scientist from University of Reading. The Pathology programme (led by Dr. Sreenivasan) continued to investigate the biology of Black Pod and Witches Broom diseases. Dr. T. Pettitt, another visiting scientist from the University of Reading, undertook research on copper-impregnated collars as a potential way to control black pod disease. BCCCA also provided additional support for work on isozymes and to support a Botanist/Collector who was appointed in late 1989 to acquire new accessions for the ICG,T.
16 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA and IOCC contributors and international partners
(1985 to 1989)
Researcher: Dr. Steve Rudgard
The objective of the Project is "to develop an economic management system to control witches' broom disease of cocoa in a number of cocoa growing environments". The project adopted two approaches: 1) a series of comparative epidemiological experiments to determine critical relationships between environmental parameters, host growth and developments of Witches' Broom in different environments and 2) an evaluation of the effect of biocides on the pathogen potentially useful in controlling the disease.
15 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(1987 to 1988)
Researcher: Prof. P.Hadley
The UK industry, through BCCCA and CRA Ltd, have been supporting the safe distribution of cocoa germplasm via the quarantine facility at the University of Reading since 1982. In 1987/88, a double-skinned polythene tunnel greenhouse was constructed to accomodate the quarantine operation and the first consignments of material were received from ICG,T Trinidad to add to the existing collection of materials received from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The project has continued to provide an international intermediate quarantine service for over 30 years and is currently supported by CRA Ltd and USDA (2022) (see CRA current projects for further details).
1 Published Paper

Funded by BCCCA and Imperial
» Imperial College, UK
(1987 to 1988)
Researcher: Dr. B.E.J. Wheeler
A short project to develop techniques to cross isolates of Witches' broom fungus using a dual in vitro culture system. The work is a continuation of Witches' Broom studies conducted at Silwood Park using single-spore cultures of isolates from various sources in the Americas. Basidiocarps were produced in pure culture and dual cultures and also from seedlings inoculated with two different cultures. The growth rates, compatibility reactions, and abilities to induce colour changes on indicator media was compared between cultures derived from single-basidiospores produced in dual cultures with the parental types and it was concluded that in vitro cultures provide a method of crossing isolates.
1 Published Paper

Funded by GCGRA and CRU/UWI, IBPGR
» University of Nottingham, UK
(1983 to 1988)
Researcher: J.A. Yidana (Supervisor: Lyndsey A. Withers)
This project investigated both the development of an in vitro collecting method for cocoa germplasm and isozyme characterization of that material. Standard tissue culture inoculation procedures were optimised, including testing of various fungicides for surface sterilisation of the explant tissues and addition of antibiotics to the culture media to reduce contamination. A standard procedure in which explants are sterilised with a mixture of Boots water sterilising tablets (10/100ml) and FBC Protectant Fungicide (0.05%) and inoculated onto a medium containing Tilt MBC (0.10%) and rifamycin (0.015%) has been recommended. Cultures prepared by this procedure can be maintained clean for 5 to 8 weeks with 30 to 60% success. Although the cultures produced shoots during this period, attempts to root them were unsuccessful. In the investigation of isozymes to characterise the germplasm, a total of 18 enzymes were examined on polyacrylamide and/or starch gels. Of these, 9 produced multiple bands, 2 produced a single band each while 7 produced unsatisfactory resolution. T Peroxidase isozymes (PER) were the most extensively studied using different tissues and plants at different developmental stages. Variation in stem bark was the most consistent and was used to group all cocoa genotypes studied into 3 classes. Peroxidase isozymes in 5 wild Theobroma species were also examined. During the project, an internship supported by IBPGR allowed the isozyme analysis techniques to be transferred to CRU Trinidad for use in characterising materials in the ICG,T.
5 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA and London Cocoa Trade, INIAP
» lnstituto Nacional de Investigaciones AgroPecuarias, Ecuador
(1984 to 1987)
Researcher: John Allen
The objectives of the LCTAP project were: 1. To make a thorough and systematic collection of wild cocoa from the Amazon region of Ecuador with the aim of bringing into cultivation as much as possible of the genetic variation present in the wild cocoa population of this region. 2. To establish a permanent collection - a 'gene bank' - of this wild cocoa at a research station being developed in the region by INIAP, the national agricultural research institute in Ecuador. Land would be freely available at this station and because it is only a few days' journey to any part of the region, problems of transport of collected material would be minimized. The establishment of the collections in their country of origin, before distribution to other countries, would reduce the risk of loss and would also make possible an early evaluation of the collections. 3. To establish the collections in quarantine is the first step in distributing the material to breeders. Using quarantine facilities at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK and also at the USDA Subtropical Horticulture Research Station, Miami, Florida, material would then be sent to cocoa breeders at the Cocoa Research Unit, Trinidad and elsewhere.
5 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
» University of Reading, UK
(1985 to 1986)
Researcher: Prof. P.Hadley
The initial project to transfer the Kew Cocoa Quarantine Collection to the University of Reading and establish a new quarantine service to ensure the safe movement of cocoa germplasm around the world - one of the key ‘building block’ resources for the cocoa research community.

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(1984 to 1986)
Researcher: Dr. A.J. Kennedy (Head)
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association CCCA and later the BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the work at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The research effort was organised under three major programmes: Agronomy, Disease Management and Genetic Resources. The main focus for the research was on the extensive collections of germplasm which were distributed across several sites within Trinidad. The International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) recognised the global importance of this material and with the approval of an application for support to the European Development Fund, the process of bringing together all of this germplasm at a single site was initiated to create the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad (ICG,T). During this period, the Genetic Resources programme (led by Dr. A.J. Kennedy with Mr. Yidana working on an IBPGR internship) focussed on the description of pod and bean morphology of accessions in the ICG,T and isozyme variation in cocoa accessions. The Agronomy programme (led by Mr Muttschneller to August 1985 and then by Mrs C. Gonsalves, with Dr. Fagan leading the Jamaica station until July 1986) focussed on propagating and planting materials at the University Cocoa Research Station (UCRS) following the closure of the Las Hermanas Field Station. The Pathology programme (led by Dr. Sreenivasan) continued to investigate the biology of Black Pod and Witches Broom diseases.
7 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA/GCGRA and Govt of Ghana
» Imperial College, UK
(1983 to 1986)
Researcher: O A Danquah (Supervisor: Dr. B.E.J. Wheeler)
Danquah, O-A (1986) Growth of Crinipellis perniciosa in cocoa resistant and susceptible to witches' broom. PhD Thesis, Imperial College, University of London The growth of two isolates representative of the two pathotype populations on cultivated cocoa of Crinipellis perniciosa, the causal agent of witches’ broom was studied in seedlings with Scavine 6 as one parent. One isolate from Pichilingue in Ecuador (pathotype A) induced significantly more hypertrophy, grew more rapidly up the plant and colonised the tuees at any one level more extensively than did the other isolate from Trinidad (pathotype 8). For both isolates·there were highly significant correlations between amounts of fungus in the tissues and the hypertrophy produced but no indication that they differed in their ability to induce hypertrophy. In seedlings infected with the Trinidad isolate, groups of necrotic cells associated with the intercellular hyphae of C. perniciosa were found 5 weeks after inoculation. Similar sites of necrosis developed more slowly and less frequently in seedlings infected with the Pichilingue isolate. Thus at 9 to 12 weeks after inoculation, there were significantly more sites of necrosis and more necrotic cells per site in seedlings infected with the Trinidad isolate and more unaffected hyphae in seedlings infected with the Pichilingue isolate. When basidiospores of the two isolates were germinated in water extracts from Scavina 6 seedlings, the germ-tubes of the Pichilingue isolate were significantly longer than those of the Trinidad isolate. This different in germ-tube growth appeared to be associated with the phenolic and alkaloid components. However, no significant correlation was obtained between the numbers of hyphal fragments in Scavina 6 seedlings and germ-tube length in extracts of tissue from the same seedlings. Similar studies of the two isolates in seedling of other cocoa cultivars further indicated the ability of the Pichilingue isolate to grown in those with Scavina parentage though in others eg Amelonado, both isolats grew equally well. Further tests with extracts of other cocoa cultivars were inconsistent and inconclusive. An attempt was made to study the significance of cell death in the C.perniciosa/ccoa relationship by preparing cocoa callus and cell suspensions, but the techniques used were not entirely successful.
1 Published Paper

Funded by GCGRA
» Wye College, University of London, UK
(1983 to 1986)
Researcher: F.M Amoah (Supervisor:Dr. Ray Fordham)
Franklin Manu Amoah (1986) Studies on the Rapid Propagation of Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.). PhD Thesis, Wye College, University of London. Summary Vegetative propagation is important for the rapid multiplication and improvement of selected clones of cacao for research and breeding programmes and the establishment of plantations. A review of literature on plant propagation with special reference to cacao has been carried out. The effects of several environmental and physiological factors as well as pretreatments to seeds and cuttings on the propagation of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.)have been investigated. Techniques have been developed for the intensified production of your cacao from seeds, rooted cuttings and the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT). A growing medium of 30’C favoured rapid rooting of cuttings and the growth of young plants by the NFT. Leaf area of about 80cm2 favoured success of rooting and bench budding/grafting. A mixture of Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA) and a-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) in equal proportions at a total concentration of 6000ppm applied as 10 seconds quick dip favoured rooting of cuttings whilst Gibberellic Acid (GA3) at 500ppm or Gibberellic Acid and 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) mixture in equal proportions at a total concentration of 500ppm favoured rapid shoot growth of cuttings and bench budding/graftlings. Addition of mineral nutrients to the flowing solution inhibited both rooting and bud break of cuttings rooted by the NFT. Studies on the effect of individual elements (N, P and K) on rooting also revealed that single node cuttings of cacao rooted best in distilled water than in any other solution. Cuttings rooted faster in the NFT than under mist and growth rates of young plants growing NFT conditions were approximately twice the rate observed for plants grown in standard potting compost. Marginal leaf scorching, which is a common occurrence in cacao, has been observed to be related to local deficiencies of calcium in the affected areas resulting from reduced water uptake by plants; however, this does not occur under NFT conditions where there is a continuous supply of water to the plants. Recommendations are made on improved techniques for the intensified production of young cacao.
2 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA and IICA, CEPLAC
» CEPLAC, Brazil
(1983 to 1985)
Researcher: Dr. Steve Rudgard
5 Published Papers

Funded by GCGRA
(1984 to 1984)
A short project to optimise budding methodology to improve the success rate of establishing material collected as part of the LCT-INIAP Amazon Project in the quarantine facilities at Kew Gardens, UK. Experiments on budwood collected from the field genebank, San Carlos, Ecuador established that budwood could be stored for 9 days without substantial loss of viability, and that foil or clingfilm wrappings could further improve the bud "take" rate. Trials using fungicide sprays in advance of harvesting the budwood were not found to improve budding success rates. It was suggested that the lower light levels and temperatures, and higher humidity levels at San Carlos compared to conditions in the Kew greenhouses may have accounted for the better budding success rates obtained.

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(1983 to 1984)
Researcher: Dr. A.J. Kennedy (Head)
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association CCCA and later the BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the work at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The research effort was organised under three major programmes: Agronomy, Disease Management and Genetic Resources. The main focus for the research was on the extensive collections of germplasm which were distributed across several sites within Trinidad. The International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) recognised the global importance of this material and with the approval of an application for support to the European Development Fund, the process of bringing together all of this germplasm at a single site was initiated to create the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad (ICG,T). During this period, the Genetic Resources programme (led by Dr. A.J. Kennedy with Mr. Yidana working on an IBPGR internship) focussed on the description of pod and bean morphology of accessions in the ICG,T and isozyme variation in cocoa accessions. The Agronomy programme (led by Mr Muttschneller to August 1985 and then by Mrs C. Gonsalves, with Dr. Fagan leading the Jamaica station until July 1986) focussed on propagating and planting materials at the University Cocoa Research Station (UCRS) following the closure of the Las Hermanas Field Station. The Pathology programme (led by Dr. Sreenivasan) continued to investigate the biology of Black Pod and Witches Broom diseases.

Funded by CRA* and GORTT
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(1980 to 1983)
Researcher: Dr. E.F. Iton/Dr. A.J. Kennedy
The UK chocolate industry, through its trade association CCCA and later the BCCCA, and with support generated from the CRA trust fund, continued to support the work at the Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad together with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The research effort was organised under three major programmes: Agronomy, Disease Management and Genetic Resources. The main focus for the research was on the extensive collections of germplasm which were distributed across several sites within Trinidad. The International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) recognised the global importance of this material and with the approval of an application for support to the European Development Fund, the process of bringing together all of this germplasm at a single site was initiated to create the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad.
3 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA and London Cocoa Trade, INIAP
» lnstituto Nacional de Investigaciones AgroPecuarias, Ecuador
(1979 to 1983)
Researcher: John Allen
The objectives of the LCTAP project were: 1. To make a thorough and systematic collection of wild cocoa from the Amazon region of Ecuador with the aim of bringing into cultivation as much as possible of the genetic variation present in the wild cocoa population of this region. 2. To establish a permanent collection - a 'gene bank' - of this wild cocoa at a research station being developed in the region by INIAP, the national agricultural research institute in Ecuador. Land would be freely available at this station and because it is only a few days' journey to any part of the region, problems of transport of collected material would be minimized. The establishment of the collections in their country of origin, before distribution to other countries, would reduce the risk of loss and would also make possible an early evaluation of the collections. 3. To establish the collections in quarantine is the first step in distributing the material to breeders. Using quarantine facilities at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK and also at the USDA Subtropical Horticulture Research Station, Miami, Florida, material would then be sent to cocoa breeders at the Cocoa Research Unit, Trinidad and elsewhere.
9 Published Papers

Funded by BCCCA
(1982 to 1982)
Researchers: Jordan, M
BCCCA made a modest contribution towards camera equipment for an expedition to the Mapuera and Trombetas rivers in Para, Brazil but unfortunately no wild cocoa was observed.

Funded by BCCCA
» East Malling Research Institute, UK
(1980 to 1981)
Researcher: O.P. Jones and A.J. Passey
A short project to investigate ways to propagate cocoa in vitro for the purposes of rapid multiplication of selected clones, simplified quarantine procedures, improved germplasm storage and use in research. This project was focussed on the use of axillary shoot proliferation and rooting from shoot tip and nodal bud explants from 1-3 year old seedling materials. The best results were obtained during the summer months from materials grown in greenhouses in the UK with 2-6 plantlets generated from per explant in about two months. Further research to increase the efficiency of the technique was recommended, particularly on plant growth substances or the potential of sequential grafting onto very young seedlings to rejuvenate the material was recommended. Callus culture was also undertaken but no indications of shoot or embryoid formation was detected.
1 Published Paper

Funded by CRA/CCCA
(1974 to 1980)
CRA and CCCA provided support towards the construction of greenhouse facilities at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew for cocoa quarantine operations. The greenhouse was completed in 1980 but required some further modifications to the heating and lighting systems in the early 1980's

Funded by CCCA/CRA and GORTT
» University of the West Indies
(1970 to 1979)
Researcher: Dr. E.F. Iton/Dr. D.B. Murray
The Cocoa Research Association and the Cocoa, Chocolate and Confectionery Alliance (CCCA) supported cocoa research activities at the Cocoa Research Unit, and proposed International Cocoa Research Centre, at the University of the West Indies. [Summarised from Fifty Years of Cocoa Research in Trinidad & Tobago, Posnette A.F. (1986)] The Cacao Research Scheme, originally set up under ICTA in 1930, remained under the aegis of the University of the West Indies from 1960 onwards. The research programme continued to have a more regional focus and included further collecting missions in the Amazon basin and evaluation of progeny trials though financial stringency limited recording of trial data (W.S. Chalmers, L.L.de Verteuil), physiology and environmental effects (R.Fordham), pests and diseases including Ceratocystsis and Phytophthora diseases( T.N. Sreenivasan) and post-harvest processing and biochemistry (A. Lopez and V.C. Quesnel).
4 Published Papers

Funded by CCCA
» University of the West Indies
» Cocoa Research Instute of Nigeria
(1962 to 1970)
Researchers: Dr. Opeke, Dr. Murrary, Dr. Bartley
A programme to increase the genetic diversity of the germplasm available to breeding programmes in West Africa through the introduction of clonal and seed derived materials from Trinidad to Nigeria. A survey of the material held at the sites in Trinidad identified 1305 different clones to be prioritised for transfer. Cuttings were prepared and sent to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew for quarantine in the UK. Seeds (either selfed or crossed) were sent directly to Nigeria, and during the course of the project survival rates were improved through the use of better packaging and protection from low temperatures. A total of 701 progenies and 313 clones were introduced to and planted in five ecologically different cacao growing areas in Nigeria (51.4 acres)

Funded by CCCA and GORTT
» University of the West Indies
(1960 to 1969)
Researcher: Prof F. Hardy/Dr. D.B. Murray
[Summarised from Fifty Years of Cocoa Research in Trinidad & Tobago, Posnette A.F. (1986)] The Cacao Research Scheme, originally set up under ICTA in 1930, came under the aegis of the University of the West Indies from 1960 onwards. The research programme was re-orientated towards a more regional focus and new field trials were planted at Las Hermanas (rather than River Estate). Research focussed on evaluation of new introductions, progeny trials, disease resistance trials and incompatibility studies(B.G.D. Bartley 1951-70, D.B. Murrary 1950-77), collection of new materials from Ecuador (W.S. Chalmers 1968-73), physiology and environmental effects (D.B. Murrary, Sale 1963-69), pests and diseases including Ceratocystsis ( E.F. Iton 1957-79, L.W. Small) and Black Pod (J.Spence 1965-66), weed control (L. Kasasian) and post-harvest processing ( L.A. Griffiths 1956-61, A. Lopez 1967-1970 , V.C. Quesnel, 1961-78).

Funded by CCCA and Govts of Ceylon, Gold Coast, Grenada, Nigeria and Trinidad and the chocolate industry (Cadbury Bros Ltd., J.S.Fry and Sons Ltd and Rowntree and Co.
» Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture, Trinidad and Tobago
(1930 to 1959)
Researcher: Prof F. Hardy and Prof E.E. Cheesman
[Summarised from Fifty Years of Cocoa Research in Trinidad & Tobago, Posnette A.F. (1986)] The genesis of the Cacao Research Scheme at the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture was in 1927 when the Committee, formed by the British Government, recommended the formation of Agricultural Research Stations to serve various regions in the tropics by doing long range research not usually covered by agricultural departments of colonial governments.The Cacao Research Scheme was eventually approved in 1930 and was jointly funded by public and private contributors. Research was conducted on a variety of aspects of the crop including its botany and genetics (B.G.D. Bartley 1951-70,E.E. Cheesman 1930-46, F.W.Cope 1937-40, K.S. Dodds 1937-49, F.J. Pound, R.K. McKee 1940-42, A.F. Posnette 1936-49,Voelcker 1935-37), physiology and soil science ( J.A. McDonald 1930-36, H. Evans 1949-52, F. Hardy 1924-76, G. Havord 1950-57, E.C. Humphries 1937-45, H. Lees 1947-49, Maliphant 1953-71, D.B. Murrary 1950-77, R. Nichols 1954-64, J.W. Porteous 1947-1950, E. Pyke 1930-34, G. Rodrigues 1939-70, T.E. Wasowicz 1950-1952), pests and diseases (R.E.D. Baker 1933-54, E.Mc.C Callan 1937-50, W.T. Dale 1943-53, R.G. Fennah 1951-1958, P.C. Holliday 1949-55, E.F. Iton 1957-79, T.W. Kirkpatrick 1946-60 ), economics (A.L. Jolly 1939-50, C.Y. Shephard 1924-47 and post-harvest processing (K.W. De Witt 1950-56, L.A. Griffiths 1956-61, Haworth 1947-50). Research activities included studies of the fruitfulness of cacao (including the incompatibility system), Witches' broom disease, growth flushes/cherelle wilt, selection and evaluation of the ICS clones, propagation methods, mineral nutrition and deficiency symptoms, fermentation systems and collecting germplasm.

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