Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Phytophthora palmivora Isolates and Their Virulence Test on Cocoa Clone Sulawesi 2

Morphological characterization of Phytophthora isolates commonly was done on the basis colony and hyphal swelling characteristics, form, shape chlamydospore, sporangia as well oogonia antheridia. Molecular conducted using specific primer pairs Pal1 s Pal2a for palmivora universal ITS4 ITS5 followed by sequencing isolates. The virulence tested a cocoa pod Sulawesi2 clone. A total 21 were collected from Palopo, Gowa, Pinrang Districts. Based morphology microscopic features i.e. sporangium, its papilla all indicated palmivora. identification showed that ten representative group had same band in size 650 bp, whereas primers, generated one 900bp. result showed, placed P. clone revealed varying degree virulence, less virulent to highly virulent. All classified because induced necrotic more than 50% pod.