Developing improved cocoa clones for farmers

INGENIC Asia/Pacific regional cocoa breeding group

Members: Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, India

Smilja Lambert, Mars, Inc

Why regional collaboration in cocoa breeding/selection

• The same pests/diseases in all countries in Asia/Pacific – CPB, Phytophtora pod rot and VSD

• Regional activities complementing the national-level approach

• Complementary gains that could not be achieved in national level

• More opportunities for larger long term funding

INGENIC Regional Cocoa Breeders group

• Established in June 2004

• Asia/Pacific part of Global INGENIC cocoa breeding network

• Involving all regional cocoa research institutions

• 9th meeting in USM on 20 November

Focus of activities

• Breeding/selections for high yielding clones in the presence of cocoa pod borer, Phytophthora pod rot and VSD

• Threats by new diseases (Witches broom, Monilliophtora)

Regional exchange

• Each collaborating institution produced 3 BEST hybrids and send to everybody 200 seeds of each - approx. 14,000 seeds exchanged

• Each institution have received 15 different hybrids for field testing and selections of best high yielding clones adapted to local conditions

• All institutions are receiving since 5 years funding from World Cocoa Foundation for field testing of these clones

How this exchange will help cocoa farmers in the Philippines and region??

• Received hybrids made from the best clones: • High yielding

• Low CPB infestation

• Resistant to Phytophthora pod rot

• Resistant to VSD

• Big beans

• High fat

• New generation superior clones are being selected from these hybrid trees in USM

PBC 123 x LAFI 7

USM hybrids