Observations on the Diseases and Conditions of Cacao Pods in Papua and New Guniea.

Abstract

Birds and flying foxes destroyed 8.7 per cent, and rot following borer damage 6.2 per cent. of pods over 12 cm long in a representative block of cacao at Keravat, New Britain, from 1962 to 1965. Other losses amounted to 6.2 per cent including only 1.2 per cent due to the fungus, Phytophthora palmivora. It is recommended that beans from rotten pods be kept separate from the main ferment.