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Taxon:  Theobroma cacao L. subsp. sphaerocarpum (A. Chev.) Cuatrec.



Summary
Genus:
Theobroma
Family:
Malvaceae
Subfamily:
Byttnerioideae
Tribe:
Theobromateae
Nomen number:
101890
Place of publication:
Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 35:515. 1964
Verified:
11/07/1985 ARS Systematic Botanists.
Accessions:
0 (0  active, 0  available) in National Plant Germplasm System. 
Other conspecific taxa
Autonyms (not in current use), synonyms and invalid designations
No images
Reference(s)
  1. Boggan, J. et al. Checklist of the plants of the Guianas. 1992
  2. Cuatrecasas, J. 1964. Cacao and its allies: a taxonomic revision of the genus Theobroma. Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 35:515-517. Note: accepts
  3. Motamayor, J. C. et al. 2002. Cacao domestication I: the origin of the cacao cultivated by the Mayas. Heredity 89:380-386. Note: this study did not find support for the recognition of subspecific categories in Theobroma cacao; it found evidence for low genetic diversity and high homozygosity among plants from Mexico and Central America, and these plants showed closer genetic relationships to plants from Colombia and Ecuador, therefore the hypothesis of independent evolution of South American and Central American cacao is untenable
  4. Porcher, M. H. et al. Searchable World Wide Web Multilingual Multiscript Plant Name Database (MMPND) (on-line resource). http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/Sorting/Frontpage.html
  5. Woodson, R. E. & R. W. Schery, eds. Flora of Panama. 1943-1980 Note: accepts
  6. Zhang, D. et al. 2012. Genetic diversity and spatial structure in a new distinct Theobroma cacao L. population in Bolivia. Genet. Resources Crop Evol. 59:239-252. http://link.springer.com/journal/volumesAndIssues/10722
Common names
Distribution
Economic Uses


NGBT Plant Germplasm System Distribution Policy

Plant germplasm is distributed to scientists, educators, producers and other bona fide research and education entities from National genebank of Tunisia active collection sites. The NGBT Curator and/or Research Leader will, in accordance with current NPGS policies and procedures, determine the legitimacy of a request when necessary.

Distributions to fulfill requests for repatriation of subsamples of germplasm collections to a country or community of origin, especially following natural or man-made catastrophes, are considered a high priority.

Although distributions for research, education, and repatriation are of the highest priority, the NPGS also encourages various seed-saver organizations and public gardens to conduct germplasm conservation activities that engage many individuals and groups throughout the country. Elements of the NPGS cooperate with seed-saver organizations and public gardens and may store germplasm for and distribute germplasm to such organizations.

Distribution of germplasm from NPGS collections to fulfill requests from individuals seeking free germplasm strictly for home use is generally considered an inappropriate use of limited resources and conflicts with U.S. Government policy of not competing with commercial enterprises. Requestors can be asked, in an appropriate manner, to justify the use of specific NPGS germplasm instead of suitable commercially available germplasm.

Accessions listed in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database as “not available” due to insufficient or low viability seed and/or scheduled for regeneration will generally not be available for distribution.

Other accessions are listed in GRIN as “not available” because they are not a part of the NPGS collection per se, but are conserved in NPGS genebanks to meet specific needs as described later in the section entitled “Categories of Germplasm Distributed and Availability.” In this category are certain accessions of improved germplasm that are only available from the owner/developer. Other accessions require that specific conditions be met by the requestor before distribution is possible.

NPGS sites will not distribute germplasm internationally when they cannot comply with the importation or quarantine requirements of the recipient country unless the requestor can provide a valid waiver of such requirements.