Abstract
Witches' broom, caused by the fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa, severely affects cacao production, causing tissue deformation and necrosis. In Brazil, the introduction of the pathogen in southern Bahia in 1989 caused a 50 to 90% reduction in production, impacting the economy and generating a serious social crisis. Moniliophthora perniciosa is hemibiotrophic and it can be categorized into …