All roads lead to Rome: integrated physiological and transcriptomic analysis of cacao drought response reveals different ways to achieve tolerance in two hybrid clones

Despite these differences, ABA metabolism and signaling pathways played a significant role in the drought stress tolerance of both clones. Osmoprotection, osmotic adjustment, and antioxidant response appear to be part of the core strategy of <i>T. cacao</i>'s tolerance to water deficit stress. This research provides valuable insights into the distinct molecular mechanisms underlying drought-stress tolerance in cacao plants. Specifically, it identifies stress-tolerance candidate genes of breeding value, as well as for <i>T. cacao</i> germplasm characterization, conservation and selection.