Abstract
"Witches' broom", caused by the basidiomycete fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa, is an important disease of cacao (Theobroma cacao). In contrast to other hemibiotrophic pathogens, the biotrophic stage of infection in cacao is symptomatic and can last for several weeks. The main symptoms of the disease are the increase in infected branches and the accentuated induction of lateral shoots (br…