Abstract
Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) growing systems in Uganda consists of shade systems with different tree species. Tree shade systems are the pure stand trees in the cocoa plantation which have been attributed towards reducing on pests and disease incidences, shade provision, boosting fertility, Agro biodiversity, fodder and improving production. The study was aimed at identifying potential shade tree species that can minimize disease threats on cocoa farms. Eighty-two cocoa farmers were reached out of 120 cocoa farmers in Bundibugyo that possessed at least five acres of the plantation in a purposive sampling approach.
Black pod disease was non-significantly associated with presence of shade tree diversities. It was established that incidence of black pod rot disease was non-significantly associated with presence of all shade tree species; association between witch’s broom disease incidence with presence of Maesopsis eminii was highly significant (χ2= 55.41, (p<0.05); Association between witch’s broom and presence of Persea Americana (χ2=9.79), (p<0.05), Eucalyptus globulus (χ2=16.71), (p<0.05), Markhamia obtusifolia (χ2=3.95), (p<0.001), schefflera actinophylla (χ2=4.32), (p<0.001), Mangifera indica (χ2=6.46), (p<0.001) was significant though these trees were planted in small numbers. Association between frosty rot disease incidence with presence of Maesopsis eminii was highly significant (χ2= 25.90), (p<0.05). there was a significant association between frosty with presence of Eucalyptus globulus (χ2=6.76), (p<0.05); Mangifera indica (χ2=4.85), (p<0.001); though these trees were planted in small numbers. There was a highly significant association between swollen shoot virus with presence of Maesopsis eminii (χ2= 31.55), (p<0.05), and Cinnamomum tamala (χ2= 19.22), (p<0.05). Association between die back disease incidence with presence of Maesopsis eminii was highly significant (χ2= 52.73), (p<0.05).