Aspects of the epidemiology of vascular streak dieback of cocoa in Malaysia

Varghese G., . and Zainal Abidin Mior Ahmad, . and Mainstone B.J., . (1986) Aspects of the epidemiology of vascular streak dieback of cocoa in Malaysia. [Proceedings Paper]

Eradicative pruning of vascular streak dieback VSD at three weekly intervals was compared with an unpruned control in a well replicated trial in mature monoculture cocoa on an inland soil. Pruning had no appreciable limiting influence on numbers of new infections during the first four months. During the subsequent eight months there was an increase in the number of new infections in pruned trees compared to the control. This indicated that regular pruning at three weekly intervals was not acceptable. A marked increase in infections were recorded coinciding with rainfall above 200 mm two to three months prior to symptom expression and assessment. The above observations suggested a possible new approach to limit VSD infections in mature cocoa by pruning affected branches twice per year just before disease favourable periods - heavy rain associated with flushing and in increase in susceptible sites for infection and a peak for sporulation of the fungus. In the nursery initially VSD symptoms appeared sporadically in seedlings. Infections increased rapidly in the next three months reading up to 50.

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Abstract

Eradicative pruning of vascular streak dieback VSD at three weekly intervals was compared with an unpruned control in a well replicated trial in mature monoculture cocoa on an inland soil. Pruning had no appreciable limiting influence on numbers of new infections during the first four months. During the subsequent eight months there was an increase in the number of new infections in pruned trees compared to the control. This indicated that regular pruning at three weekly intervals was not acceptable. A marked increase in infections were recorded coinciding with rainfall above 200 mm two to three months prior to symptom expression and assessment. The above observations suggested a possible new approach to limit VSD infections in mature cocoa by pruning affected branches twice per year just before disease favourable periods - heavy rain associated with flushing and in increase in susceptible sites for infection and a peak for sporulation of the fungus. In the nursery initially VSD symptoms appeared sporadically in seedlings. Infections increased rapidly in the next three months reading up to 50.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Available at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor Malaysia. SB267 I61 1984 Call Number
AGROVOC Term:	Theobroma cacao
AGROVOC Term:	Mycoses
AGROVOC Term:	Infection
AGROVOC Term:	Epidemiology
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:25
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/14407

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