Abstract
"Witches' broom" is an important disease that affects cacao (Theobroma cacao) and is caused by the basidiomycete fungus Moniliophtora perniciosa. The fungus is endemic to the Amazon region, and its introduction in southern Bahia led to the collapse of cocoa plantations and caused important economic and social changes in the region. Moniliophtora perniciosa is characterized as a hemibiotro…