Coconut-Root wilt

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Root (wilt) disease-Resume of work done since 1964
(1969-02) Lal, S.B.
The root (wilt) disease of coconuts in Kerala has been spreading and now infects about 250 thousand hectares of coconut plantations. It is more intense in poorly aerated land. Flaccidity of leaflets is the primary symptom of the disease, while yellowing, necrosis, nut fall etc. complete the syndrome. The disease is probably caused by a virus-like pathogen which is soil borne and transmitted by an insect as well as mechanically. Mode of spread in nature is not fully understood. The cowpea indicator host has been very erratic and seems to be highly sensitive to prevailing weather. Water stagnation or high water table seems to play an important role in the initiation and spread of the disease. There is a gross derangement in the physiological processes of infected palms. Eradication of diseased trees to check the further spread of the disease in new areas, as well as to re-establish healthy coconut gardens in diseased areas, is being experimented.