Temporal dynamics of witches’ broom disease (Moniliophthora perniciosa) in six cocoa clones with and without shading

• Published in: Journal of plant pathology Vol. 104; no. 1; pp. 37 - 48
• Main Authors: Carvajal-Rivera, Albert Sneyder, Jaimes-Suárez, Yeirme Yaneth, Guzmán-Plazola, Remigio Anastacio, Ortiz-García, Carlos Fredy, Sandoval-Islas, José Sergio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.02.2022
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Life Sciences; Original Article; Plant Sciences; Resistance; Flower cushions; Vegetative buds; Clone
• ISSN: 1125-4653; 2239-7264
• DOI: 10.1007/s42161-021-00963-6

Witches broom disease, caused by Moniliophthora perniciosa , is the second most important disease of cocoa crops, due to the yield losses it causes. To improve its control, it is relevant to analyze its progression in different cultivars and management conditions. In this work, carried out in Santander, Colombia, the incidence of witches’ broom disease in flower cushions and vegetative buds of six cocoa clones was evaluated under a factorial arrangement of: Exposure to the sun (with or without shading), Plant clones, Year and Date, with 10 repetitions per treatment. Although no principal effects of each of these factors were detected, a highly significant interaction was detected for Clone X Sun Exposure X Evaluation Date, for the number of witches’ brooms in flower cushions and vegetative buds, and Clone X Year X Evaluation date, plus Year X Sun Exposure X Evaluation Date, for the number of brooms in vegetative buds only. These interactions indicate that there are significant differences between clones in the number of cushions and buds affected by M. perniciosa , however, disease incidence in clones EET 8, ICS 60, ICS 1, and SCC61 changed with the type of exposure to the sun, evaluation year, and evaluation date within a year, while clones CCN 51 and ICS 95 were resistant and had no significant interaction with the other factors.