Witches' broom disease of cocoa <i>Crinipellis perniciosa)</i> in Ecuador

SUMMARY Two pathotypes of Crinipellis perniciosa were found in both eastern and western Ecuador. The cocoa strain was highly pathogenic to species of the genera Theobrotna and Herrania and caused the witches' broom disease. The liana strain was weakly or non‐pathogenic to cocoa and its allies; it is endemic in the forests of Ecuador on lianes, shrubs and trees and is possibly parasitic in these tissues. The taxonomic position of the fungus is discussed.