Vascular Trouble

This chapter looks at two diseases affecting the vascular system of the cacao tree: vascular streak dieback, caused by the fungus Ceratobasidium theobromae, and wilt disease, caused by the fungus Ceratocystis cacaofunesta. Both diseases are considered as serious threats to cacao production and their impact has already been considerable and severe. Vascular streak dieback nearly destroyed the cacao industry in Papua New Guinea and is mercifully restricted to Indonesia, Malaysia, and South-East Asia, while Ceratocystis wilt has been reported in several countries in South and Central America, where it has caused substantial crop losses. The chapter examines the research being undertaken to better understand these diseases and how best to tackle them.