Current Status on Cacao Disease Incidence in Central Sulawesi

Abstract

Central Sulawesi is largest of cocoa bean producer in Indonesia. However, cacao production constrained by important diseases. Currently, data about cacao been damage due to pathogen infection have not been updated. This study observed the incidence of major diseases in cacao plantations, included pod rot, canker, and vascular-streak dieback (VSD). The study was situated at the largest cacao plantation in Central Sulawesi, in Ampera, Berdikari, Bahagia, Ue Rani, and Sejahtera villages in Palolo District, Sigi Regency. The observation pronounced that the cacao trees in the study sites were infected by the pathogens of pod rot, canker, and VSD with different incidence levels. VSD was a disease with the highest incidence and distribution in the cacao plantations. Besides, this study also described the symptom of the disease.

Evaluation of yield and pest and disease resistance of cocoa clones in Kolaka District, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

“…CPR disease is very difficult to control because pathogens can generally survive as mycelium and chlamydospores (resistant spores with thick walls) in infected plant material, such as roots, stems, flowers, leaves (Acebo-Guerrero 2012; Ali et al 2017), and fruit (Edy et al 2019), or in the soil (Acebo-Guerrero 2012; Adeniyi 2019). P. palmivora is found in various cocoa centers in Indonesia, and resistance to CPR disease is mostly influenced by the action of additive genes on the proportion of dominant genes relative to recessive genes in parents.…”

Traits of farming practice affecting vascular streak dieback disease on cacao in Central Sulawesi

“…However, one of the constraints restricting the production of cocoa is yield loss as caused by of plant disease. There has been reports of pod rot, canker, and vascular streak dieback (VSD) infections on plantations in Central Sulawesi [2]. The most harmful to cocoa production is VSD disease, particularly in local cocoa varieties [3].…”

“…Primarily found in some major cocoa producing regions, VSD has the potential to damage and destroy cocoa crops, resulting in reduced production and significant economic impacts [5,6]. This disease is caused by a fungal infection that attacks the plant's vascular system, causing symptoms such as black lines on the leaves and twigs [2], as well as reduced fruit productivity. In the context of uncertain climate change and agricultural sustainability challenges, a deep understanding of VSD is crucial for developing effective crop protection strategies and maintaining the viability of the vital cocoa industry.…”