Characterization of Phythophthora species from the American continent and the Caribbean that are pathogenic on cocoa

Several species of Phytophthora cause cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) black pod rot on the American continent. A study of ITS (internal Transcribed Spacer) sequences, a region of ribosomal DNA, led to taxonomic separation of the species P. palmivora, P. capsici cacao, P. tropicalis and P. citrophthora cacao. In order to fine-tune this species differentiation study, American strains of Phytophthora present in the CIRAD collection in Montpellier were characterized for their genetic diversity, mating type and certain physiological characteristics. (Resume d'auteur)