author(s)
Voula Valteri Audrey, Manga Essouma François, Messi Ambassa Lin Marcellin, Mahob J Raymond and Begoude BA Didier

abstract
A study was carried out between March 2016 and April 2017 with the aim to determine the relationship between mirid infestations and dieback process of cocoa plants due to fungal infestations. Three infestation types on different cocoa organs was studied in-farm and in the laboratory as well as the fungal diversity of the cocoa organs and interaction between these fungi and dieback. It emerges from this work that Sahlbergella singularis presented a developmental cycle of 28.35 ± 5.10 days in the laboratory and 42.53 ± 6.70 days in the farm. As for fungal diversity, Lasiodiplodia sp. (34%) had the highest abundance followed by Fusarium sp. (23%), then Asperllus sp. (16%). These fungi became opportunistic due to mirid attack, leading to dieback of the host plant. This clearly shows the combined actions of mirids and fungi in dieback processing.