Effect of Bacillus sp. on the incidence and severity of frosty pod rot of cocoa

Abstract

Moniliasis (Moniliophthora roreri), generates an economic loss in the production of cocoa fruits (Theobroma cacao L.). The control of the disease has been with chemical products and integrated management, with reduced efficiency. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of Bacillus sp. on the incidence and severity of moniliasis in cocoa. 50 Trinitario cocoa plants were used per treatment. 24 treatments were established where the incidence and severity of the disease were evaluated weekly, considering as main factors 1) application every 7 days, 2) application every 14 days and 3) control. One of the two conditions of field management was the plastic protective cover placed on each fruit and the second was without it. The order obtained from the treatments, considering lower incidence, average incidence, and highest incidence, is as follows: "Every seven days" <"Control" <"Every 14 days". Therefore, the Bacillus suspension inhibits the development of moniliasis in cocoa fruits with applications every seven days, regardless of whether or not the plastic cover is placed on the fruits. The cover used caused an inductive effect on the development of cocoa fruits, in addition to lengthening the time of the incubation stage of the disease.