The program of genetic improvement of the cupuaçu tree ( Theobroma grandiflorum) needs to tend to the demand of new cultivares, especially of those resistant to the Monilophthora perniciosa fungus, the agent responsible for causing the deformity known as witch's broom disease, and also to increase as much as possible the genetic base of planting material. This project aims to develop new technologies which promote the quick multiplication of selected cultivares, as well as to early select test genotypes which will make the process of genetic improvement faster and more effective. On the other hand, the genetic expression study in order to build cDNA libraries and genome sequencing of the cupuaçu tree in large scale will allow the fast and efficient identification of genes and their interactions during the biotic stress process. The project counts on various researchers from research centers in France (CIRAD) and Brazil (CEPLAC, EMBRAPA, UNICAMP, UESC).

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