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Advances and perspectives in the characterization of elite cacao trees (Theobroma cacao L.) for the conservation of biodiversity in the municipality of Ibague, Tolima
Contextualization: Cocoa is a valuable and versatile crop that has proven to be beneficial in various aspects, including combating illicit crop cultivation, sustained product yield, rural poverty reduction, and biodiversity conservation in regions.
Knowledge Gap: Ibagué, Tolima, is known for its cocoa trees with unique attributes. However, the lack of knowledge in the identification and evaluation of these varieties has driven an exhaustive bibliographic review to address this situation.
Purpose: The characterization of elite cocoa trees (Theobroma cacao L.) is crucial for genetic improvement and the development of cocoa varieties with desirable traits, such as disease resistance, crop yield, and grain quality. Characterization involves the detailed assessment of various phenotypic and genetic characteristics of the trees to identify those exhibiting superior traits. The primary objective of the study titled "Advancements and Perspectives in the Characterization of Elite Cocoa Trees in Ibagué, Tolima" is to provide stakeholders in the cocoa sector of the region with descriptors for the characterization of elite cocoa trees, aiming to enable the selection of promising varieties, enhance quality, and improve yield.
Methodology: To achieve this objective, it becomes necessary to implement a methodology based on the bibliographic review of both primary and secondary sources related to the characterization of elite cocoa trees with aroma and flavor at both the national and specifically in the Ibagué, Tolima region.
