Reducing Cherelle Wilt in Cocoa

Cherelle wilt in cocoa is not related to any pathogen, thus it is not a disease in a narrow sense.

It is a natural fruit thinning mechanism whereby the young fruit, called cherelles, stop growing, turn black and shrivel but do not fall off the tree.

Crop Nutrition and Cherelle Wilt in Cocoa

Calcium

Calcium has been found to increase pod set and reduce cherelle wilt. Hence, application of calcium to the trees as an annual application is beneficial