Seedlings from open-pollinated progenies of 20 clones of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) were inoculated with the fungus Ceratocystis cacaofunesta, the causal agent of Ceratocystis wilt, and their response was assessed based on the percentage of dead plants. Open pollinated progeny of clones TSH1188 and VB1151 were used as standards for resistance, while CCN51 and SJ02 for susceptibility. Contrasts between these benchmarks and the progenies studied were estimated and evaluated by Dunnett's t test (α= 0.05). The progenies showed different responses to C. cacaofunesta, and it was possible to classify them into three groups: resistant (FCB01, CSG70, BOBA01, VB902, TSH1188, VB1151, PS1319 and MAC01), moderately susceptible (HW25, PM02, FA13, PH15, M05 and BJ11) and susceptible (CCN51, FB206, PH16, SJ02, CCN10 and FSU77).
Ceratocystis cacaofunesta; Theobroma cacao; Dunnett's t test; plant breeding; selection
