Cocoa pest management in organic and agroecological systems
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Abstract
Theobroma cacao cultivation is affected by insect pests that cause damage and significantly reduce both quality and yield. The aim of this article was to compile bibliographic material on the most commonly used agroecological control methods in cacao cultivation. The main cacao pests reviewed in this article are the cacao pod borer (Carmenta spp.), the mirid bug (Monalonion spp.), leaf-cutting ants (Atta spp.), white grubs (Phyllophaga sp.), and the coffee berry borer (Xyleborus ferrugineus). For the agroecological control of cacao pests, the use of beneficial organisms is recommended, mainly fungi such as Metarhizium sp. and Beauveria bassiana, as well as bacteria such as Bacillus thuringiensis. In addition, conservative biological control may be an option to enhance and preserve the natural enemies present in the agroecosystem. These strategies are a crucial part of efforts to reduce the use of agrochemicals in agricultural crops because, beyond their negligible impact on environmental pollution, their application has been justified by enabling the development of sustainable agriculture that contributes to the conservation of natural resources.
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