Identification of Phytophthora species on cocoa pods and pod husks using three culture media

The objectives of this study were the development of three media from locally available materials for isolation of phytophthora spp.,from infected cocoa pods and pod husks samples and the identification of isolated phytophthora spp.,collected from four cocoa producing states in south-western part of nigeria. the formulated media included tomato juice agar (tja),cocoa beans agar (cba) and cocoa pod and beans agar (cpba). tja supported the best pathogen growth followed by cba and cpba. based on cultural and morphological characteristics,p. palmivora and p. megakarya were identified in infected cocoa pods and pod husks. these findings indicated an urgent need for strategies in the management of cocoa diseases in cocoa producing states in south-western nigeria.