The potential of selected shade tree species for managing mirids and black pod disease infection in cocoa agroforestry systems in Ghana
2024
Asitoakor, Bismark Kwesi | Ræbild, Anders | Asare, Richard | Vaast, Philippe | Howe, Andy G. | Eziah, Vincent Yao | Owusu, Kwadwo | Mensah, Eric Opoku | Kotey, Daniel Ashie | Ravn, Hans Peter | Université du Ghana = University of Ghana | University of Copenhagen = Københavns Universitet (UCPH) | International Institute of Tropical Agriculture [Nigeria] (IITA) ; Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research [CGIAR] (CGIAR) | Ecologie fonctionnelle et biogéochimie des sols et des agro-écosystèmes (UMR Eco&Sols) ; Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (Cirad)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE)-Institut Agro Montpellier ; Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro)-Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro) | Council for Scientific and Industrial Research [Ghana] (CSIR) | Ministry of Foreign Affairs;DANIDA;DNK;
Source Agritrop Cirad (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/613094/) * Autres projets (id;sigle;titre): 16-P02-GHA;CLIMCOCOA;(DNK) Climate Smart Cocoa Systems for Ghana//
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Show more [+] Less [-]English. Pests and diseases are major determinants of cocoa yield, but continuous synthetic chemical control of cocoa pests contributes to environmental pollution and high production costs. As an alternative, we assessed the influence of eight commonly retained forest tree species on mirid and black pod disease infestation, compared to unshaded portions in 10 cocoa fields in the Western region of Ghana. The influence of tree species, on-farm temperature, rainfall, and relative air humidity was assessed on mirid population densities on cocoa trees, and mirid and black pod disease infested pods from May 2018 to December 2020. Shade tree species had significant effects on mirid densities and resulting pod damages, with highest mirid occurrence in Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum (0.51 ± 0.12 mirids tree−1 yr−1) and lowest occurrence in Khaya ivorensis A. Chem (0.21 ± 0.07 mirids tree−1 yr−1), Cedrela odorata L. (0.22 ± 0.09 mirids tree−1 yr−1) and Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C. Berg. (0.24 ± 0.09 mirids tree−1 yr−1) plots, compared to the unshaded control plots (0.48 ± 0.12 mirids tree−1 yr−1). Black pod disease (caused by Phytophthora spp.) infection was significantly different among species with highest pod damage observed around Cola nitida Schott and Endl. and least in unshaded areas. The occurrence of black pod disease varied with seasons and correlated with monthly rainfall and humidity, while mirid infestation correlated with monthly temperature. The diameter of shade trees and the density of cocoa trees influenced both mirid infestation and black pod disease infection. Hence, careful selection of shade tree species appears to be an important strategy to enhance integrated pest management (IPM) in cocoa systems.
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