• The first indication of the disease is a characteristic yellowing of one or two leaves on the second or third flush behind the growing tip.
• Diseased leaves fall within a few days of turning yellow and the other leaves on the shoot show similar symptoms.
• When the infected shoot is split lengthwise there is always a characteristic brown streaking.

Management

• The disease can be controlled by disposing diseased branches and regular pruning of chupons on the trunk.
• Cocoa nurseries should not be located near the diseased area.
• Avoid getting seedlings from diseased tracts.
• Kerala Agriculture University has developed some VSD resistant and high yielding varieties CCRP-1 to CCRP-7.

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