Advances in Understanding Physiological Processes of the Cacao Tree

Dear Colleagues,

Cacao is an economically important crop that is cultivated throughout the humid tropics, providing the essential raw ingredient for the chocolate industry. Cacao is predominantly cultivated by smallholder farmers, and yields on many cacao farms remain relatively low. It can be cultivated as a monoculture or within agroforestry systems. Periods of abiotic stresses encountered in many growing regions, such as drought, flooding, and excessive temperatures, can impact on establishment, yield, and the quality of the crop. Such stresses are being exacerbated by climate change.

Improving our understanding of physiological processes of the cacao tree is pivotal to improving crop yields through breeding and crop management and in devising strategies to adapt to climate change. In this Special Issue, we explore recent advances in our understanding of physiological processes of the cacao tree. We particularly welcome papers covering the following themes: 1) cacao responses to abiotic stresses (including multiple stresses and simulated climate change), 2) genotype–environment interactions, 3) cacao nutrition, 4) cacao physiology within shaded/ agroforestry systems.

Dr. Andrew Daymond
Guest Editor

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