Tennessee researchers awarded grant to study cacao biodiversity and pollination

Do we have to choose between chocolate and biodiversity? Researchers at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture are working to answer this question in a new study.

"Using Genomic Tools to Promote Sustainable Cacao Agroforestry" is now funded through a $120,000 grant by the USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. Graduate student Holly Brabazon leads this project, with support from faculty mentors DeWayne Shoemaker, department head and professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, and Meg Staton, associate professor of bioinformatics and computational genomics.

Cacao, the primary ingredient in chocolate, is more than a treat. It is a vital source of income for more than 50 million people worldwide. However, cacao farming faces significant challenges, including poor farming practices and the looming threat of climate change, both of which can severely impact cacao yields and the livelihoods of farmers.

The research team will sequence the genomes of wild cacao trees from Belize, a region known for its rare and highly valued fine-flavored cacao. The team will use genomic tools to study the diversity of cacao and gain insights into cacao pollination. Their study will also examine how insects, especially pollinators, interact with these wild cacao trees, which could lead to better strategies for managing cacao farms in a way that supports both biodiversity and cacao production.

"Despite the popularity of chocolate, there's still so much we don't know about the cacao tree," Brabazon said. "I'm excited to be able to use genomics to shed more light on wild cacao diversity and to fill some gaps in what we know about cacao pollination."

For the next two years, the team will compare the genetic diversity and pollinator activity of wild and cultivated cacao trees. Their findings could provide significant insights for sustainable cacao farming and boost production while maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Provided by University of Tennessee at Knoxville