| Black pod disease | |
|---|---|
| Common names | Black pod disease of cocoa |
| Causal agents | Phytophthora palmivora Phytophthora megakarya |
| Hosts | cocoa (Theobroma cacao) |
| EPPO Code | PHYTPL |
Black pod disease is a fungal disease of Cocoa trees. It is mostly found in tropical areas where cocao trees grow, and its spores are spread via the heavy rainfalls that can occur in tropical climates. Annually, the pathogen can cause a yield loss of up to 1/3, and up to 10% of total trees can be lost completely.
The pathogen can be found anywhere on the cocoa trees, but is most notable for the black mummified appearance it gives to the fruit of the cocoa tree. Preventing the spread of the pathogen prior to infection is the best means of control. The pathogen can be greatly reduced if leaf litter is allowed to stay on the ground, otherwise, chemical control can be used for more severe cases.