A5040169715- Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy
- Food Chemistry and Fat Analysis
- Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies
- Genetic and Environmental Crop Studies
- Agricultural pest management studies
- Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life Management
- Plant Gene Expression Analysis
- Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions
- Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity
- Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
- Horticultural and Viticultural Research
- Plant Disease Resistance and Genetics
- Botanical Research and Applications
- Banana Cultivation and Research
- Soybean genetics and cultivation
- Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens
- Heavy metals in environment
- Flowering Plant Growth and Cultivation
- Genetics and Plant Breeding
- African Botany and Ecology Studies
- Oil Palm Production and Sustainability
University of the West Indies
2016-2025
University of the West Indies
2022
University of the West
2005-2018
Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement
2013
University of the West Indies System
2002-2013
University of Trinidad and Tobago
2001
Domestication has had a strong impact on the development of modern societies. We sequenced 200 genomes chocolate plant Theobroma cacao L. to show for first time our knowledge that single population, Criollo underwent domestication ~3600 years ago (95% CI: 2481-13,806 ago). also during process domestication, there was selection genes involved in metabolism colored protectants anthocyanins and stimulant theobromine, as well disease resistance genes. Our analyses domesticated populations T....
Highlights•Sixteen diverse cacao genotypes varied 30-50x in leaf and stem Cd content•Variation microbiome composition may have contributed to accumulation•Amplicon sequencing highlighted >200 ASVs that alter plant accumulation•Metagenomics identified >5500 gene families affect soil availability•These bioindicators could be used screening or bioamendment developmentAbstractRecent regulatory limits on concentrations of cadmium (Cd), an element concern for human health, made reduction a key...
The research on strategies to reduce cadmium (Cd) accumulation in cacao beans is currently limited by a lack of understanding the Cd transfer pathways within tree. Here, we elucidated from soil nib (seed) high accumulating cultivar. cultivar through stable isotope fractionation, speciation (X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy), and localization (Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). plant concentrations were 10-28 higher than topsoil increased as placenta< nib< testa< pod...
ABSTRACT Seven crop and eight weed species from 12 agricultural locations in Trinidad Tobago were assayed for the presence of whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses (WTGs) by using dot blot hybridization polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification N-terminal coat protein sequence with degenerate primers. The amplified fragments cloned analyzed restriction enzyme digestion to determine fragment length polymorphism among fragments. Representative clones then sequenced subjected phylogenetic...
Theobroma cacao is an economically important tree of several tropical countries. Its genetic improvement essential to provide protection against major diseases and improve chocolate quality. We discovered mapped new expressed sequence tag-single nucleotide polymorphism (EST-SNP) simple repeat (SSR) markers constructed a high-density map. By screening 149 650 ESTs, 5246 SNPs were detected in silico, which 1536 corresponded genes with putative function, while 851 had clear polymorphic pattern...
Abstract Cocoa bean fermentation is an important postharvest process that develops aroma and processing properties. Although the cocoa of high complexly, farmers are employing empirical methods to determine degree cocoa. Researchers, on other hand, using expensive equipment such as high‐performance liquid chromatography gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry study fermentation. In this study, machine learning based electronic nose system, a fast measuring affordable method, was developed...
Resistance to Phytophthora palmivora was assessed in leaves and pods of 12 diverse cacao genotypes at the penetration post-penetration stages infection determine relationship resistance between sites infection. Penetration based on frequency lesions, whereas lesion size used as a measure resistance. We observed significant clonal differences for leaf pod two A poor correlation both indicated that these forms are independent governed by different mechanisms. Correlation not stage, positive...
Cacao ( Theobroma cacao L.) was domesticated in Mesoamerica and is native to the South American rainforest. Belizean Criollo a group of relic landraces that are thought be similar those used by Olmecs Mayans during early domestication. Knowledge genetic diversity essential for efficient conservation use these landraces. Using 30 microsatellite markers, we characterized 77 Belize accessions collected from Maya Mountains Belize, assessed their relationship with 62 including 25 Trinitario...
Capsicum chinense is commercially the most important pepper species grown in Caribbean. It popularly used to impart pungency and flavor Caribbean cuisine. However, unlike annuum , which exploited domesticated internationally, C. has not been methodically collected or characterized for systematic improvement through plant breeding. The objectives of study were assess diversity its structure within basin determine phylogenetic relationship groups South America. DNA isolated from 201 accessions...
The expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes during flower colour development in Anthurium andraeanum (anthurium) was studied. A cDNA library constructed from mRNA the anthurium spathe, and full‐length clones identified for flavonoid biosynthetic enzymes chalcone synthase (CHS), flavanone 3‐hydroxylase (F3H), dihydroflavonol 4‐reductase (DFR) anthocyanidin (ANS). These were used to measure transcript levels spathe development, cultivars with different colours, over diurnal cycle, spadix....
The genetic diversity of Ralstonia solanacearum causing bacterial wilt tomato in Trinidad was assessed using the hierarchical phylotyping scheme and rep‐PCR DNA fingerprinting. Seventy‐one isolates were collected 2003 on infected crops four main vegetable cropping areas (North, Central, South‐East South). Two phylotypes present, with phylotype II being much more prevalent (66%) than I (34%). Phylotype strains consisted mainly sequevar 7 Central South‐East, 35 North, South. This is first...