Disease reaction of cacao progenies following inoculation with the cacao swollen shoot Togo B virus (CSSTBV) under field conditions

Epidemiology and Diagnostics of Cacao Swollen Shoot Disease in Ghana: Past Research Achievements and Knowledge Gaps to Guide Future Research

“…Nonetheless, further research on mild strain research at CRIG has not progressed as expected, due to limited information and other concerns about the available mild strain-inoculated cacao trees being able to harbor severe strains at the same time [ 55 ], and also the probability of mild strains being mutated to change from less severe to severe strains in the field [ 57 ], as well as the fear of mild strain protection being temporary, and the challenges in differentiating between field symptoms induced by mild and severe strains to warrant prompt eradication of severe field infections [ 56 ]. These concerns and challenges were supposed to be investigated through long-term on-station trials at CRIG before a conclusive recommendation could be made for large-scale application by farmers [ 57 ]. Available information from the on-station investigations indicates that the apparent protection by the two main mild strains (i.e., N1 and SS365B) in conferring immunity to cacao plants breaks down between 15 years and 20 years post inoculation [ 58 , 59 ].…”

“…Available information from the on-station investigations indicates that the apparent protection by the two main mild strains (i.e., N1 and SS365B) in conferring immunity to cacao plants breaks down between 15 years and 20 years post inoculation [ 58 , 59 ]. This finding suggests the need for repeated mild strain inoculations for the sustainable and long-term protection of cacao plants in the field [ 57 , 58 , 59 ]. Issues about the need for the development of inoculation approaches that would ensure efficient introduction of the mild virus into cacao seedlings prior to distribution and planting were highlighted in these reports.…”

“…Approaches for efficient detection and diagnoses of viruses are important requirements for virological investigations and development of satisfactory control measures [ 57 ]. Determinants of effective viral diagnoses and detection include evaluating prevalence within a locality and recognizing new virus strains and species [ 57 ].…”

“…Approaches for efficient detection and diagnoses of viruses are important requirements for virological investigations and development of satisfactory control measures [ 57 ]. Determinants of effective viral diagnoses and detection include evaluating prevalence within a locality and recognizing new virus strains and species [ 57 ]. Some of the common techniques utilized in the past for field and laboratory screening for CSSD include visual inspection for symptoms, graft indexing, vector transmission tests, and different serological/molecular detection tests [ 60 , 61 ].…”