Improvement of the quality of the cocoa crop in Ecuador

Abstract

The cultivation of cocoa is of great economic importance for Ecuador, since it is appreciated worldwide for its marked organoleptic characteristics. The cocoa crop is affected by a wide variety of pests and diseases, which can lead to the loss of almost the total production. One of the best known diseases are Monilia and Botryodiplodia. By virtue of this, the objective of this research is to analyze the improvement of quality in the cultivation of cocoa, in the province of Guayas, Ecuador, comparing the effect of two fungicides a chemical one (Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate) and a biological one (Trichoderma harzianum), for the control of Monilliasis (Moniliophthora roreri) and black fruit rot (Botryodiplodia theobromae) which cause direct damage to the pods of cocoa plants. The experimental design on a cocoa crop with five years of age was assumed, with a Latin Table Design (DCL) with 6 treatments including the absolute control with 6 repetitions, with a total of 36 experimental units, which is equivalent to one tree per treatment. It was evidenced that Trichoderma harzianum presented excellent results in doses of 600g / ha when obtaining less quantity of diseased pods, and therefore significantly increasing the yield and quality of the cocoa crop and will directly benefit the environment.