[Viability of Phytophthora palmivora (Butler) Butler, on fruits, flower cushions, leaves of cacao and soil during the dry season.]

The present investigation had as objective estimate the viability of P. palmivora in soil, as well as in leaves, flower cushions and infected cacao fruits which remained on the tree during the dry period (november-march) in the Soconusco, Chiapas region. Two experimental sites were utilized, one located in the Rosario Izapa Experimental Station and the other in the municipality of Tuzantan. In both locations artificial inoculations of P. palmivora were made in the fruits and flower cushions while estimates of the natural incidence of P. palmivora were made for the leaves and soil. The samplings for determining the survival of the pathogen were taken monthly from december to april. The results indicate that the viability of P. palmivora infected cacao fruits left on the tree during dry season disappear progressively three months after the infection of the fruits. However, the survival of the pathogen in flower cushions persists throughout the year in both locations. With respect to the natural incidence of leaves infected with P. palmivora, in the dry period, it was minimal, and for this reason is considered of little importance. On the other hand, the soil in both localities was a carrier of the inoculum of P. palmivora throughout the dry season.