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Cacao Diseases

A History of Old Enemies and New Encounters

  • Identifies gaps in our knowledge concerning cacao diseases and suggests future directions for research
  • Includes emerging pathogens of cacao with yet-unknown potential
  • Describes different approaches to disease management
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (18 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiii
  2. The Crop and Its Pathogens

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
  3. Moniliophthora roreri and Moniliophthora perniciosa: History and Biology

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 61-61
    2. Frosty Pod Rot (Moniliophthora roreri)

      • Harry C. Evans
      Pages 63-96
    3. Moniliophthora roreri Genome and Transcriptome

      • Lyndel W. Meinhardt, Bryan A. Bailey
      Pages 97-135
    4. Genomics, Transcriptomics, and Beyond: The Fifteen Years of Cacao’s Witches’ Broom Disease Genome Project

      • Jorge Maurício Costa Mondego, Daniela Paula de Toledo Thomazella, Paulo José Pereira Lima Teixeira, Gonçalo Amarante Guimares Pereira
      Pages 179-210
  4. Phytophthora spp. Causal Agents of Black Pod Rot

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 211-211
    2. Black Pod and Other Phytophthora Induced Diseases of Cacao: History, Biology, and Control

      • S. Surujdeo-Maharaj, T. N. Sreenivasan, L. A. Motilal, P. Umaharan
      Pages 213-266
    3. Phytophthora megakarya, a Causal Agent of Black Pod Rot in Africa

      • Bryan A. Bailey, Shahin S. Ali, Andrews Y. Akrofi, Lyndel W. Meinhardt
      Pages 267-303
  5. Pathogens of Expanding Concern

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 305-305
  6. Pathogens of Local Concern and Potential to Spread

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 359-359
    2. Fruit and Canopy Pathogens of Unknown Potential Risk

      • Andrews Y. Akrofi, Ismael Amoako-Atta, Kofi Acheampong, Michael K. Assuah, Rachel L. Melnick
      Pages 361-382
    3. Ceratocystis Wilt Pathogens: History and Biology—Highlighting C. cacaofunesta, the Causal Agent of Wilt Disease of Cacao

      • Odalys García Cabrera, Eddy Patricia López Molano, Juliana José, Javier Correa Álvarez, Gonçalo Amarante Guimarães Pereira
      Pages 383-428
    4. Armillaria Root Rot of Theobroma cacao

      • Jolanda Roux, Martin P. A. Coetzee
      Pages 429-447
    5. Root-Infecting Fungi Attacking Theobroma cacao

      • Julie Flood, G. M. ten Hoopen, Ulrike Krauss, Andrews Akrofi
      Pages 449-480

About this book

This book reviews the current state of knowledge concerning cacao pathogens and methods for their management. 

Topics discussed include the history, biology and genetic diversity of Moniliophthora species (which cause witches’ broom and frosty pod rot) and Phytophthora species (which cause black pod rot) that cause diseases resulting in major losses to cacao production. Emerging pathogens such as Cacao swollen shoot virus and Ceratobasidium theobromae (which causes vascular streak dieback) are also discussed in detail, along with many pathogens of significant local concern. Most of these pathogens represent major risks to global cacao production should they expand into new areas, breaking out of their current limited distributions. By considering cacao diseases as a group, similarities in the available tools and techniques used in their management become apparent, as do their limitations. Gaps in our current knowledge of cacao pathogens and the management of the diseases they cause are detailed, and suggestions for future research directions are provided. This insight allows readers to consider cacao disease threats from a more comprehensive, global perspective and paves the way for an improved synergy of efforts between the various research programs, agencies, and industries, both private and public, with vested interests in cacao production, and cacao farmers.

Editors and Affiliations

  • USDA/ARS, Sustainable Perennial Crops Laboratory, Beltsville, USA

    Bryan A. Bailey, Lyndel W. Meinhardt

About the editors





Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Cacao Diseases

  • Book Subtitle: A History of Old Enemies and New Encounters

  • Editors: Bryan A. Bailey, Lyndel W. Meinhardt

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24789-2

  • Publisher: Springer Cham

  • eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life Sciences, Biomedical and Life Sciences (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-319-24787-8Published: 02 March 2016

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-79679-6Published: 07 April 2018

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-24789-2Published: 22 February 2016

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XIII, 633

  • Number of Illustrations: 8 b/w illustrations, 71 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Plant Pathology, Plant Breeding/Biotechnology, Agriculture

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access