Ceratocystis cacaofunesta

The disease known as "Ceratocystis wilt of cacao" (or "Mal de machete") is a serious disease of the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao) in Latin America.^[3] The fungus is indigenous to Central and South America.^[4]

This fungus is able to penetrate cacao trees through stem wounds that are caused either by insects or through infected cutting tools.^[4] Wounds made by harvesting pods, removing stem sprouts or weeding may become infected.^[1] The disease is a systemic infection that damages the entire plant.^[4] The fungus enters its host through the xylem, causing a deep stain leading to the obstruction of water and nutrient transport.^[4] It moves systemically through the plant.^[3] Eventually, the plant turns yellow and then brown, leading to wilting and the sudden death of the tree.^[4]

The disease has been of major importance in Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador, parts of Colombia and Venezuela.^[1] In the 1990s, C. cacaofunesta was introduced to the southern region of Bahia, which is the largest Brazilian cacao-producing state.^[4] This disease is responsible for reductions in the cacao population in plantation areas, which has resulted in great economic losses in the affected regions.^[4] The fungus has killed as many as half of the trees in some locations.^[1]

• Ceratocystis cacaofunesta in Index Fungorum