Dept of Agriculture Development 
SFAC KeralaIt is reported from some parts of Kerala. 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.
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.
