Ceratocystis wilt pathogens: History and biology-highlighting C. Cacaofunesta, the causal agent of wilt disease of cacao

Abstract

Ceratocystis is a genus of ascomycete fungi that includes aggressive pathogens of economically important plants worldwide. This fungus is the causal agent of Ceratocystis wilt disease and canker disease, which often kills the plant causing major losses in agricultural production. In the last two decades, emerging diseases related to Ceratocystis infections have been greatly increased. Ceratocystis wilt of cacao is caused by C. cacaofunesta, one of the three well-established host-specific pathogens in the genus. Ceratocystis wilt of cacao has caused sporadic epidemics in the Americas, but its importance is often underestimated. Furthermore, the disease represents a serious threat to the world’s cacao production due to the risk of pathogen spread. Silvicultural practices in cacao agroforests, the marketing of seeds, and cacao grafting in association with a minimal knowledge of the biology of the pathogen effectively contributed to this threat. This chapter explores the controversial taxonomic and evolutionary history of the genus Ceratocystis as well as the biology of C. cacaofunesta.