Exploration of Cocoa Pod Pest and Damage Level in Lima Puluh Kota Regency, West Sumatera, Indonesia

Abstract

Aims: The study aimed to explore the cocoa pod pests and the damage level of pests in Lima Puluh Kota regency, Indonesia.
 Study Design: Purposive random sampling.
 Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted in cocoa field in Lima Puluh Kota Regency, West Sumatera, Indonesia from January to June 2021.
 Methodology: Purposive random sampling was used in the research. Three districts that have cocoa fields were chosen as location of the study. One sub district of each district was chosen and two cocoa fields of each sub district were chosen as sampling. The criteria of field sampling were 1) the field area was 0.5 hectare, 2) the plants age ±4 years and the plants were productive.
 Results: The result showed that cocoa pod borer (Conopomorpha cramerella) and pod sucking bug (PSB) (Helopeltis spp.) were the cocoa pod pest insects in Lima Puluh Kota regency. The percentage of attacked plants by CPB and PSB in Lima Puluh Kota were 21.18% and 56.28% respectively. Attacked pods by CPB and PSB were 10.82% and 79.45%. For attack intensity of CPB and PSB, there were 8.52% and 41.09% respectively.
 Conclusion: According to result obtained, the attack intensity of CPB and PSB in Lima Puluh Kota were Slight and Moderate respectively.