The Impact of Plant Diseases on World Chocolate Production

Abstract

Many factors contribute to a decline in production of cocoa beans worldwide. Plant diseases such as black pod, witches' broom, and frosty pod rot are major components of the decline in production. Plant pathologists and microbiologists must discover and devise means to reduce disease losses and to save chocolate for the enthusiastic consumers of the world. This review discusses the major disease of cacao and their effect on world production. Accepted for publication 14 June 2001. Published 9 July 2001.