Pests and Diseases of Cocoa
Diseases:
Black pod disease caused by Phytophthora palmivora (Burt) a facultative parasite and the most widely distributed disease of cocoa. Infection usually at either end of pod causing charcoal brown necrotic spots which spread rapidly, later turning black with a very sharp line of demarcation between diseased and healthy host tissue, beans partially or wholly destroyed by brown coloured rot Young leaves are also causes flower produces a leaf spotting in which the spots are greenish white with brown rnargins. Pythium graminicolem C.B. causes: a Rhizome and root rot. These diseases can be controlled by spraying 1% B.M. or 0.2% D.M. 45 (Dithane M-45).
Pests: Shoot bearing caterpillar which damage central shoot which later on dies.
Control: Spraying 0.05% dimenthoate or Phosphamidon 0.2%