Control of Phytophthora seedling blight of cocoa.

Abstract

Phytophthora palmivora (Butler) Butler causes occasional serious losses of cocoa (Theobroma cacao Linnaeus) planting material in the nursery. Experiments were conducted to find an effective but inexpensive chemical control measure. Metalaxyl was found to be very effective both as a foliar spray and as a seed treatment and the prophylactic use of either method at the rate of about 10g a.i./1000 seedlings raised production costs by less than 0.5%.