An automated system for screening Theobroma cacao for resistance to witches' broom. In: Agrotrópica v. 9 p. 119-126, 1997.

Abstract

An automated system for inoculation ofcacao seedlings and vegetatively propagated plants with basidiospores ofthe witches' broom pathogen in large-scale resistance screening trials was developed at the University ofFlorida in Gainesville, FL. Methods are described for plant production, basidiocarp production, basidiospore collection and storage, preparation and application of inoculum, incubation of inoculated plants and their post-incubation treatment and classification of infected plant responses. Advantages ofthis automated basidiospore-spray system include: 1) control of inoculum concentration, 2) control and adaptability of the amount of inoculum applied to plants, 3) control of environment during infection, 4) storage of basidiospores until needed, and 5) rapid inoculation of large numbers ofplants. Application and adaptation of the system are discussed.