Impact of Shade on Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease Hotspots in the Fresco Department, Southern Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus (CSSV) represents a major threat to the principal cocoa-producing regions of Côte d’Ivoire, such that effective management of this disease has become a priority for all stakeholders in the cocoa value chain. In this context, the present study was undertaken to contribute to CSSV management by improving understanding of the role of associated trees in cocoa-based agroecosystems. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of trees associated with cocoa plants on the prevalence and spatial configuration of CSSV disease foci in cocoa plantations located in the Fresco Department. To achieve this objective, the infection status of cocoa plantations affected by swollen shoot disease was characterized, and comprehensive botanical inventories of shade trees were conducted both within and around CSSV disease foci. The results revealed a higher density of shade trees in the surrounding areas compared to the interior of disease foci. Overall, these findings suggest that cocoa agroforestry systems incorporating appropriate shade tree species may contribute to limiting the spread of CSSV symptoms and could therefore represent a promising adaptation strategy to mitigate disease severity in cocoa plantations.