Project Number: 1275-21220-225-12
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jan 25, 2005
End Date: Jan 25, 2008

Objective:
The objectives of this research are to develop formulation and application methods for biological and chemical pesticides for the control of disease and insect pests of cacao, specifically Phytophthora species, Moniliophthora roreri, and Crinipellis perniciosa. Spore collection methodologies and field application formulations of biocontrol fungi and bacteria are of special interests in addition to the development of specialized application technologies and equipment.

Approach:
Spore collection equipment (MycoHarvesters) will be adapted facilitating the production of highly purified biomass of promising biocontrol fungi for field application in controlled studies. Support will be provided for optimization of biological and chemical pesticides as will expert advise on the field application of promising biocontrol microbes and fungicides in West Africa, Southeast Asia, and South and Central America. Efficacy of both biological and chemical agents will be evaluated in replicated field trials - these will take place in Brazil (witches' broom), Ecuador (Crinipellis complex), Cameroon (black pod) and Sulawesi (cocoa pod borer). Spore monitoring techniques will be adapted in support of improving the cost-efficiency and timing of spray and cultural interventions in the field for control of cacao pests. Application technologies will be further adapted to maximize the efficiency of application for biological and chemical pest control agents. Economic models for evaluating the real costs of spray interventions will be validated leading to the identification of key constraints for improving application practices.