Horticultural crops :: Plantation :: Cocoa 
       
        
          
             Black Pod rot: Phytophthora palmivora, P. megakarya, P. citrophthora and P. capsici
              
                
                  Symptoms 
                    
                      - Infection appears as chocolate brown spot, which spreads rapidly and soon occupies the entire surface of the pod. 
 
                      - As the disease advances, a whitish growth of fungus consisting of fungal sporangia is produced over the affected pod surface. Ultimately, the affected pods turn brown to black. 
 
                      - The internal tissues as well as the beans become discolored as a result of infection.
 
                     
                    
                      
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                        | Chocolate brown spots | 
                        Fully covered brown spots | 
                        Infected seeds  | 
                       
                     
                    Management 
                    
                      - Periodically remove the infected pods. 
 
                      - Spray 1 per cent Bordeaux mixture with on set of monsoon and also frequent intervals. 
 
                      - Provide frequent drainage and regulate shade to increases aeration. 
 
                      - Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf1) liquid formulations @ 0.5% as soil and foliar spray (3 times per year- June, October & February) was found to be effective in reducing the Cocoa Pod rot and Stem canker.
 
                     
                    Image Source: 
                    http://hawaiiplantdisease.net/Miscellaneous-diseases.php
                     
                    http://s3.amazonaws.com/plantvillage/images/pics/000/001/729/large/CIMG1524.JPG?1380810258 | 
                 
             
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