Integrated phenotypic analysis, predictive modeling, and identification of novel trait-associated loci in a diverse Theobroma cacao collection
This research provides a detailed characterization of a wide germplasm collection, robust yield predictors, and a suite of novel trait-linked genetic markers, offering valuable resources for cacao breeding. These integrated findings will provide a solid foundation for targeted breeding strategies and deeper molecular investigations into the mechanisms underpinning yield and stress resilience in this vital global crop.
Authors
- Brian M. Irish (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4954-6392)
- Lyndel W. Meinhardt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8299-2629)
- Ezekiel Ahn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4447-4104)
- Rakesh K. Upadhyay (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6742-5853)
- Minhyeok Cha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9714-9554)
- Seunghyun Lim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3023-4863)
- Moon S. Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8504-9839)
- Jishnu Bhatt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3818-8761)
- Sookyung Oh
- Sunchung Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7398-9476)
- Insuck Baek (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1044-349X)
Institutions
- Agricultural Research Service (US)
- United States Department of Agriculture (US)
- Bowie State University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMC Plant Biology
- Published
- 2025-08-09
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07128-y
- Primary Topic
- Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria, AGROSAVIA
- Corporación colombiana de investigación agropecuaria
- Agricultural Research Service