Effect of cocoa pod husk-based compost and watering frequencies on Phytophthora seedling blight disease suppression and seedling growth of cocoa clones

Bruce, Williams (author), Donkor, Esther Fobi (author), Novor, Samuel (author)

Phytophthora Seedling Blight Disease (PSBD) is a significant threat to global cacao production, causing stem and leaf wilting, defoliation, and seedling death within seven days of infection. The persistence of Phytophthora palmivora Butler in soil as mycelia and spores complicates its management. Composting, particularly with cocoa pod husks, enriches soil and suppresses plant diseases. Cocoa pod husk compost enhances seedling growth, improving plant height, dry matter, and foliar nitrogen. Cocoa pod husks also present a sustainable substratum for composting, as a substantial amount of it is left unused after bean harvesting. This study investigated the effects of cocoa pod husk-based compost and watering frequencies on PSBD suppression and cocoa seedling performance. Conducted in Prestea Nkwanta, Ghana, the experiment involved three factors: cocoa hybrid genotypes (PA150 and C85), compost ratios (soil alone, compost alone, 9 kg compost + 81 kg soil, and 18 kg compost + 72 kg soil), and watering frequencies (twice or thrice weekly). Disease incidence, growth, and root architecture parameters were analyzed using GenStat. Results showed significantly higher PSBD incidence in soil alone compared to compost-amended soils (p < 0.05). Growth parameters also varied significantly among treatments (p < 0.05). Cocoa pod husk compost significantly improved cocoa growth and suppressed PSBD, with reduced watering frequency enhancing effectiveness.

• Language: English
• Keywords: cocoa pod husk compost, cocoa seedling growth, disease suppression, root architecture, soil amendment, cocoa hybrid genotypes
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 10 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 121, no. 3
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-175204
• UDC: 63
• ISSN on article: 1854-1941
• DOI: 10.14720/aas.2025.121.3.21676
• COBISS.SI-ID: 254088963
• Publication date in RUL: 21.10.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Acta agriculturae Slovenica
• Publisher: Biotehniška fakulteta, Oddelek za agronomijo in Oddelek za zootehniko, Biotehniška fakulteta, Oddelek za agronomijo in Oddelek za zootehniko, Univerza v Ljubljani, Biotehniška fakulteta, Založba Univerze v Ljubljani
• ISSN: 1854-1941
• COBISS.SI-ID: 219581184

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Učinki komposta iz ostankov plodov kakavovca in pogostosti namakanja na zatira nje bolezni na sejankah povzročene od glive iz rodu Phytophthora ter na rast sejank klonov kakavovca
• Keywords: kompost iz plodov kakavovca, rast sejank kakavovca, zatiranje bolezni, arhitektura korenin, dodatki k prsti, hibridni genotipi kakavovca