MIAMI — Government scientists are launching a five-year project Thursday aimed at safeguarding the world’s chocolate supply by dissecting the genome of the cocoa bean.
A Miami-based U.S. Department of Agriculture team, funded with more than $10 million from Mars Inc., will analyze the more than 400 million parts of the cocoa genome, a process that could help battle crippling crop diseases and even lead to better- tasting chocolate.
Fungal diseases are estimated to cost cocoa farmers an estimated $700 million annually. The analysis will not only identify the traits that make cacao trees susceptible, but it will allow scientists — and candymakers — to better understand every aspect of cocoa, from its ability to withstand drought to the way it tastes.
