Abstract
The natural incidence of black pod disease of cocoa caused by Phytophthora citrophthora is reported for the first time from India. The identity of the fungus was established on the basis of cultural and morphological characters. Isolates produced papillate, non-caducous, and highly variably shaped sporangia. None of the isolate produced chlamydospore or oospores. The cardinal temperatures were 12, 24-27, and 33°C, respectively. The isolates consistently produced symptom similar to those observed in natural infections on both wounded and unwounded Forastero cocoa pods, and the fungus was re-isolated from the inoculated pods.
