DISEASES OF CACAO 



87 



egg-shaped, and attached at the broader end to a very- 

 slender stalk which ultimately shrivels and liberates them 

 when mature (Figs. 21 and 22). This condition of the 

 fungus is seen on the outside of the cacao pod, and as the 

 conidia are produced in immense numbers and in quick 

 succession, it can readily be understood how rapidly the 



FiQ. 21.— Conidia of Phytophthora (x 300). 

 (A) Formation of an oospore. 



pest is likely to spread when they are dispersed by the 

 agency of wind, insects, or by rain. Conidia that happen 

 to alight on young pods germinate and penetrate the tissues 

 easily by using the punctures made by minute biting 

 insects, and quickly produce disease. During the period 

 of production of the external form of fruit (Figs. 21, 22, 

 and 23) mycelimn spreads rapidly through the substance 

 of the pod, and gives origin to a second form of fruit 

 imbedded in its tissues. These are reproductive bodies 



