CRA Research Projects 78


Funded by CRA
(2024 to 2030)

Funded by CRA
(2024 to 2030)

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 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 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 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 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 CRA and CFC/institute and industry partners
» Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
» Centre National Recherches Agriculture, Cote d'Ivoire
» Institut Recherche Agriculture Development, Cameroun
» Cocoa Research Instute of Nigeria
(2015 to 2018)
Researcher: Dr. H. Dzahini-Obiatey (Previously Dr. A. Cudjoe)
The project aimed to strengthen in-country and regional capacity for improved pest surveillance for prevention of spread, early detection, eradication and continued management of existing and invasive pests and pathogens. Surveying activities were undertaken to evaluate current spread and impact of pests and diseases in partner countries. Training materials were prepared and distributed to raise awareness of pest risks and management strategies. Additionally, the project addresses the increasing threat of the spread of exogenous pests and pathogens to cocoa producing regions in Africa and put in place measures to reduce the risk of the introduction of pests and diseases such as Witches’ Broom (WB), Frosty Pod Rot (FP) - Moniliophthora roreri and Cocoa Pod Borer (CPB) - Conopomorpha cramerella through capacity building and awareness-raising.

Funded by CRA and CFC/ICCO/national research institutes and industry partners
» Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
» Centre National Recherches Agriculture, Cote d'Ivoire
» Cocoa Research Instute of Nigeria
» Institut Recherche Agriculture Development, Cameroun
» Institut Togolaise de Recherche Agronomique
(2013 to 2018)
Researcher: Dr. H. Dzahini (previously Dr. A. Cudjoe)
The project aims to strengthen in-country and regional capacity for improved pest surveillance for prevention of spread, early detection, eradication and continued management of existing and invasive pests and pathogens. Crop and pest management strategies, as an integral part of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) is to be adopted as the main methodology to reduce crop losses by indigenous pests and diseases and to prevent the spread of both indigenous and exogenous pests and pathogens in the participating countries. Additionally, the project addresses the increasing threat of the spread of exogenous pests and pathogens to the African. The project will put in place measures to reduce the risk of the spread of exogenous pests and diseases such as Witches’ Broom (WB), Frosty Pod Rot (FP) - Moniliophthora roreri and Cocoa Pod Borer (CPB) - Conopomorpha cramerella through capacity building and awareness-raising.
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 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 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 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 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 CRA* and LNV Sustainable Cocoa Subsidy Scheme (Dutch Buffer Stock), STCP
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of Reading, UK
» Cocoa Research Instute of Nigeria
» International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria
(2008 to 2011)
Researchers: K. Agyeboyin (Supervisors: Dr. A. Daymond, Prof. P.Hadley)
A post-graduate research project co-funded by LNV (Sustainable Cocoa Subsidy Scheme) and STCP, and administered by BCCCA/CRA Ltd, to investigate the importance of factors such as rootstock x variety effects and physiological performance of the variety during establishment and early growth, especially under drought conditions.
2 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 CRA*
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» University of the West Indies
(1987 to 1989)
Researchers: Dr. A.J. Kennedy, H E Laker
1 Published Paper

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 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*
*(transferred from BCCCA in 2008)
» Imperial College, UK
(1979 to 1984)
Researchers: Dr. BEJ Wheeler, R. Mepstead
A project to examine the pathogenic variability of isolates of Moniliophthora perniciosa (known at the time as Crinipellis perniciosa) collected from various countries in South America and the Caribbean. Dry witches broom samples were induced to produce basidiocarps and using the basidiospores to inoculate a range of cocoa material under greenhouse conditions.
3 Published Papers

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 CCCA/CRA and Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Unitata (Malaysia), Harrisons and Crosfield (Malaysia), Cadbury Limited (UK),
» Long Ashton Research station, University of Bristol, UK
» Tropical Products Institute, UK
(1977 to 1980)
Researchers: J.G. Carr, P.A. Davies and J Dougan
This research was undertaken as joint project between CCCA and the Malaysian Rubber Growers’ Association by scientists at Long Ashton and Tropical Products Institute in the late 1970's to investigate the causes of the flavour differences noted between the West African standard cocoa and cocoa produced in Malaysia which typically produced a raisin/fruity off-flavour in finished chocolate. The research found higher levels of acetic and lactic acid in samples prepared from Upper Amazon (UA) hybrid planting material compared to typical West African Amelonado cocoa, regardless of whether the samples were fermented in heaps in Ghana or in boxes in Malaysia. The work led to recommendations for the establishment of a standard method for assessing flavour and for further research to understand the potential impact of the larger amount of pulp associated with the UA hybrid beans compared to Amelonado beans, and the effects of pressing and aeration during post-harvest processing on flavour quality.
5 Published Papers

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 CRA
» Univeristy of Bangor, UK
(1977 to 1978)
CRA provided support for a pathologist to undertake research on the mating types of Phytophthora species based at Brazzaville.

Funded by CRA
» University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
(1973 to 1975)
CRA provided support for an entomologist at CRIN as part of the IOCC Black Pod Research Team

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