The Littoral region in Cameroon is exceptionally wet, and it is often monitored for its predisposition to the Black Pod disease.
The conditions over the past three months have been particularly favourable for the spread of the disease. With a number of dry days below average during this period, the pods were almost constantly wet and susceptible to infection. Moreover, the heavy rains have likely led to frequent episodes of waterlogging, which lowered the plant’s defences and further fostered pathogen growth.
The last four weeks in particular saw roughly 50% more rain than the already high norm and experienced slightly above-average temperatures, which sped up the pathogen cycle even more and created the perfect combination of conditions for Black Pod spread.
In conclusion, Black Pod ravaged the Littoral region for a long time already and, in light of the perfect conditions for it lately, it is going to pose a problem, even if farmers try to control it.
