Biological control of the black cob (Phytophthora Palmivora L.) In the crop of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)

Abstract

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is a tree of the Esterculiceae family of great importance in the economy of developing countries, due to its different uses and derivatives that are given to the fruit. The main factor for the loss of plantations and low production yields are caused by diseases: witches' broom (Moniliophthora perniciosa Stahel), moniliasis caused by (Moniliophthora roreri Cif & Par) and black ear rot (Phytophthora spp.). Due to this problem of not having an effective control for the eradication of the disease, our research aims to determine the best strategy for phytosanitary management in cocoa cultivation, in the area of ​​the enclosure 3 de Noviembre, in the Balao canton. For the experiment, a completely randomized block design (DBCA) with 7 treatments and 3 repetitions was applied. The experimental area was distributed in plots of 50m2, each one is made up of different planting densities 800-1000-1200 plants/ha. For the dosing of the treatments, different biological products were combined: Trichoderma sp., Bacillus sp.; organic products such as (seaweed extract); resistance inducers such as (potassium phosphite) and a foliar fertilizer based on macro and micronutrients, the application of the treatments in the cocoa plantation was done for 5 months, according to the phenological stage of the plant. As results we found that T3 (Bacillus sp. + algae extract + potassium phosphite + foliar fertilizer) had the highest average of harvested kilos of cocoa at a density of 1200 plants/ha.