What is Frosty Pod Rot?
This is a disease caused by the fungus Moniliophthora roreri. The fungus invades actively growing cocoa pods damaging them and the seeds they produce.
Origin and Distribution
The disease first appeared in Colombia in 1817 and has since spread to other South American, Central and North American countries. Some of these are Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, Bolivia and Mexico.
How does it Spread?
The fungus produces large amount of spores that are dispersed by wind, water or physical disturbance of the pod. Seed trade, smuggling and other...