Unveiling Ceratocystis wilt disease: a review of cocoa's unforgiving foe

Cocoa, a tropical evergreen tree native species to the Amazon rainforest, is a highly favored plantation crop of smallholder farmers and a source of livelihood in tropical lowlands of South America, West Africa, and Southeast Asia. Ceratocystis wilt is one among many fungal diseases that cause economic losses in cocoa production. This narrative review aims to evaluate gaps in understanding Ceratocystis wilt of cocoa. The study utilized the PRISMA framework which serves as guide for a semi-structured review. Through the scientific databases, a total of 202 articles were identified, comprising 51 from the Web of Science and 151 from ScienceDirect. Data extraction was done by categorizing the obtained literature. Results revealed that C. cacaofunesta is an ascomycetes fungus and was first described as C. fimbriata and later re-defined as C. cacaofunesta verified using molecular technique and morphological differences. Its symptoms include leaf chlorosis, and entry of infection is through the wound in the stem caused by contaminated cutting tools and insect attack. As a necrotrophic fungus, it feeds on its host's nutrients. It is also a homothallic species that can self-fertilise and strive at a temperature between 18 to 28 degrees Celsius. Effective control measures can be costly and negatively impact the environment. However, mitigation measures can be taken, such as exclusion and eradication as preventive measures. This narrative review provides a significant future research undertaking, such as identifying diagnostic protocol for C. cacaofunesta and helping mitigate the disease through providing information dissemination on the farmer's level for early detection.