Black pod disease of cocoa

Abstract

Black pod is the most serious disease of cocoa in Papua New Guinea. It results in heavy crop losses in many parts of the country during the wetter times of the year. It is caused by the fungus Phytophthora palmivora. The fungus attacks cherelles (a stage in between flowers and pods) and pods of all ages and also causes bark canker (see HARVEST 5(2): 71-76) and seedling blight.