Pink disease Description Pink Disease starts as a white powder growing on the branches or trunks of cocoa trees. As the disease spreads, the old powder turns a salmon pink colour. Damage Pink Disease can damage young trees and spread to neighboring trees by spores blown by wind and rain. Cocoa trunks and branches develop a rough texture and die, A patch of several dead trees on the farm can result. Pink disease
STage 1 While fungus (spider’s web)
STage 2 Pink-white pustules
STage 3 Pink-orange or pink-white crust
Control • Reduce shade and prune cocoa trees to allow more sunlight through the canopy. • Remove surrounding bush that may harbour the disease. • Remove branches 50 cm below the infection site. • Burn all removed branches.
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SOLOMON ISLANDS COCOA BOOK