Integrative Approaches to Soil, Plant, and Environmental Interactions in Cacao Sustainability

Cacao (Theobroma cacao) research is fundamental to supporting the continued viability of global chocolate production, which relies heavily on this perennial tropical crop. Despite the crop’s socio-economic significance, supporting the livelihoods of nearly six million farmers and forming the backbone of a multibillion-dollar industry—the scientific literature concerning cacao remains less extensive compared to other tropical commodities like coffee or oil palm. Cacao is cultivated predominantly in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, and its distinctive ecophysiological traits, such as cauliflory and adaptation to the tropical belt, prompt unique challenges and opportunities for scientific discovery. Current concerns center on climate change, food safety, and the persistent threat of rural poverty among producers, while fundamental questions regarding soil-plant-environment interactions, plant stress mechanisms, and nutrient management remain unresolved. Although recent years have seen record market prices for cacao and growing global demand, research output has yet to match the complexity and urgency of the challenges facing sustainable production.This Research Topic aims to consolidate state-of-the-art research and foster holistic insights into the factors underpinning sustainable cacao production. The principal goal is to close prominent knowledge gaps identified by the scientific community, shedding light on the molecular, biochemical, and physiological underpinnings of cacao’s adaptation to diverse environments. We seek high-quality studies that address how soil, plant, and environmental interfaces contribute to both immediate and long-term sustainability outcomes. Key questions driving this initiative include the mechanisms by which cacao mitigate drought or disease stress, the molecular and genetic bases for varietal differences in quality and resilience, and innovative strategies for reducing negative environmental impacts.To gather further insights into the integrated domains of soil, plant, and environmental research relevant to cacao, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Regulatory mechanisms underlying cacao response to drought and climate resilience, with emphasis on cultivar-specific traits• Advances in disease control and management, including molecular and genetic perspectives• Interactions between soil conditions and plant uptake of nutrients and heavy metals• Element partitioning within cacao plants for yield improvement and mitigation of contaminants• Best practices and novel technologies in water and soil management in the context of climate change• Genetic approaches to understanding and enhancing cacao quality traitsDisclaimer: We acknowledge that Dr(s). Eduardo Chavez and Pathmanathan Umaharan receive funding from private cacao companies for scientific research activities. But, we hereby state publicly that these companies have had no editorial input in articles included in this Research Topic, thus ensuring that all aspects of this Research Topic are evaluated objectively, and unbiased by any specific policy or opinion of these companies. Topic editors: Eduardo Chavez, Pathmanathan Umaharan Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79111/integrative-approaches-to-soil-plant-and-environmental-interactions-in-cacao-sustainability