A new method for the inoculation of (Butler) into cacao seedlings under greenhouse conditions.

Background: The black pod disease affects cacao plantations worldwide; it is caused by the oomycete species of the genus . The resistance of cacao plants to the black pod is commonly evaluated by artificial inoculation of the pathogen and the monitoring of the disease symptoms. However, it is difficult to identify resistant plants because the commonly used methods for the inoculation of the pathogens produce inconsistent results.