This book reviews the current state of knowledge concerning cacao pathogens and methods for their management. Topics discussed include the history, biology and genetic diversity of Moniliophthora species (which cause witches’ broom and frosty pod rot) and Phytophthora species (which cause black pod rot) that cause diseases resulting in major losses to cacao production. Emerging pathogens such as Cacao swollen shoot virus and Ceratobasidium theobromae (which causes vascular streak dieback) are also discussed in detail, along with many pathogens of significant local concern. Most of these pathogens represent major risks to global cacao production should they expand into new areas, breaking out of their current limited distributions. By considering cacao diseases as a group, similarities in the available tools and techniques used in their management become apparent, as do their limitations. Gaps in our current knowledge of cacao pathogens and the management of the diseases they cause are detailed, and suggestions for future research directions are provided. This insight allows readers to consider cacao disease threats from a more comprehensive, global perspective and paves the way for an improved synergy of efforts between the various research programs, agencies, and industries, both private and public, with vested interests in cacao production, and cacao farmers.

The main purpose of the overview presented in this book is to provide the international community with knowledge and tools that can be used to breed cocoa trees with greater resistance to Phytophthora. It covers pathogen diversity, epidemiological knowledge, the genetic parameters of resistance observed in the field, and practical breeding aspects. The relevance of different screening tests involving artificial inoculations and the use of molecular markers for the selection of resistant material are widely covered.

The Monograph deals with the conception, planning, implementation, results and conclusions of the International Witches' Broom Project (IWBP), which was set up in 1985 with the aim of producing an economic management system for witches' broom disease of cocoa. The contributions of the various sponsors, and the roles played by the participating organizations and scientists are described in the introductory chapter. Chapter 2 provides a review of what was, and what was not known from published literature about the cocoa witches' broom pathosystem in 1989. The scope of the project and the approaches used are covered in Chapter 3, while Chapters 4 to 13 report on the field studies themselves in detail. The recent appearance of witches' broom in the important cocoa area of Bahia in Brazil is described in Chapter 14, before disease management recommendations are summarised and future prospects considered in the closing chapters. The many man-years of field research in the IWBP in a total of six countries generated much useful information which was analyzed both in the individual countries and collectively. Even with a document of this size, certain information and analyses with less direct relevance to disease management had to be omitted. It is expected that more detailed treatments of certain aspects will emerge in scientific papers, and further analyses will be undertaken.

Cacao agroforestry systems are common in Indonesia, but differences in local management affect biodiversity and related ecosystem services. Importantly, birds and bats alike strongly contribute to biological pest control in cacao, thereby promoting yields and sustainable farming. Our findings from many years of ecological field research, in close collaboration with Indonesian cacao farmers, are summarized and discussed in this bilingual book, written in both English and Indonesian. It is designed to communicate scientific information as well as to facilitate transdisciplinary discussions and more biodiversity-friendly management in tropical agroforestry systems. We consider this book as a tool to improve the collaboration of local communities, farmers and scientists, as well as to improve the application of scientific knowledge in agricultural practice - particularly in tropical land use areas. Bea Maas, the first author of this book, is postdoctoral researcher at the University of Vienna (Austria), working in the fields of biology, ecology and conservation. She conducted the research and workshops presented here in close collaboration and with support from the University of Göttingen (Germany) and the University of Tadulako (Indonesia).

Forest Microbiology: Tree Diseases and Pests, Volume Three in the Forest Microbiology series, provides an overview of major disease agents of trees, including viruses, phytoplasma, bacteria, fungi, nematodes and major insect pests. With a strong emphasis on genetics, biochemistry, physiology, evolutionary biology and population dynamics of the organisms involved, this book provides a comprehensive understanding on the health of forests. Sections cover important pest threats such as bark beetles, emerald ash borer, coffee borers, leaf cutting ants, cocoa mirids, and more. This volume highlights a range of emerging diseases of forest trees in temperate and tropic regions as well as information on habitats. Forest trees play crucial roles not only for mitigating effects of the climate change but also for their considerable economic and ecological value. Forest trees are equally vital as an alternative bioenergy source and play important roles in pollution abatement and the maintenance of biodiversity. Timber and its associated products from forest trees contribute substantially to the revenue generation of many countries of the world. - Includes case studies of complex diseases of economically important trees - Highlights novel approaches to managing tree pests and diseases in a changing climate - Focuses on the many functions of microbial disease agents of trees - Addresses major insect pests of boreal, temperate and tropical trees

Viral Diseases of Field and Horticultural Crops details the fundamental and applied aspects of the viral diseases of field and horticultural crops. The book opens with a historical introduction to plant virology, important plant virologists, and landmarks. It continues with systematic coverage of viral diseases, their economic significance, disease symptoms, host range, mode of transmission, diagnostic techniques, geographic distribution, epidemiology, yield losses, and control and management of the disease. Contributions from an international group of virologists with a wide range of academic, research, professional, and specialized backgrounds in plant virology makes Viral Diseases of Field and Horticultural Crops a comprehensive and must-have resource for those engaged in the study and research of plant virology, microbiology, and plant pathology particularly viral diseases and their impact on field and horticultural crops. - Provides virus characterization according to the disease pattern and symptoms they cause - Covers viral diseases of cereals, oil seeds, legumes, commercial crops, spices and condiments, medicinal and aromatic crops, forage crops, vegetable crops, fruit crops, tree nuts, among others - Discusses advances like applications in nanotechnology, molecular techniques for the detection and characterization of plant viruses, and the development of technologies for detecting plant viruses