Protocol for isolation of <i>Moniliophthora roreri</i> (Cif and Par) Evans <i>et al.</i> from cacao fruits cv. `National' in the Ecuadorian Amazonia

Abstract

Moniliophthora roreri is a pathogen of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) that causes high economic losses in Ecuador. This paper is intended to present a protocol for the isolation of the pathogen from cocoa fruits cv. `National', showing signs and symptoms of disease. The fruits were collected on farms of Napo (Ecuador). By wet chamber, it was able to induce profusely, sporulation on the surface of selected lesions. The isolations were performed from conidia directly located on the surface of fruits with brown powdery appearance. Isolation procedures and suggested of possible applications are presented. Key words: amazonia, basidiomycetes, fungi, moniliasis, Theobroma cacao L.