Impacto de plagas de relevancia económica en el cultivo de cacao (Theobroma cacao) e identificación de estrategias de prevención y control, en fincas ubicadas en el cantón Puerto Quito

Abstract

Abstract: This research analyzed the impact of pests and diseases on cacao production in Puerto Quito, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Surveys were conducted with 70 farmers, showing that most are men (58.57%), between 36 and 50 years old (37.14%), and mainly educated at the secondary level (42.86%). The most common problems were monilia and black pod, affecting 48.57% of crops, followed by machete disease and cacao bug (32.86%). Farmers identified the rainy season, from January to April, as the period of greatest risk (64.29%). To manage these issues, 55.71% spend between $200 and $400 per hectare annually, while production costs range from $800 to $1,200. Average yields reached 500 700 kg/ha in 67.14% of farms, with CCN-51 as the dominant variety (70%). Control strategies included integrated management (42.86%), chemical (25.71%), and physical methods (24.29%), usually applied when pests appear (77.14%). The study concludes that strengthening technical training, improving monitoring systems, and promoting sustainable practices are essential to increase cacao productivity and profitability in Puerto Quito. Would you like me to make this version sound more like an academic abstract or more like a magazine-style article?