Observations on the epidemiological peculiarities of cocoa pod rot pathogens

Phytophthora, fusarial and charcoal rots are three major pod diseases of cocoa in Nigeria. Usually, a diseased pod carries one or the other or even a combination of the three diseases at a time. Since the three diseases are caused by different pathogens it is to be expected that each will have its peculiarities. Results of field observations in two widely separated cocoa growing areas of Nigeria (Gambari Experimental Station, Ibadan and Ibule near Akure) are reported. There are indications that while Phytophthora pod rot has rainy season epidemics, fusarial rot and especially charcoal rot are dry season diseases. While resistance of pods to Phytophthora pod rot disease decreases with the age of pods, mature pods are definitely more tolerant to fusarial and charcoal pod rots than cherelles