Epidemiology of coconut root (wilt) disease
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Date
2007-02-08
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Abstract
Coconut root (wilt) disease of Kerala (S. India) is a debilitating disease of uncertain etiology. Out of 7,40,000 ha of coconut planatation, 2,50,000 ha are affected by this malady causing an annual loss of about 340 million nuts. Associations of fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and a transmissible virus-like pathogen with the disease have been reported. Observations recorded for seven years in 10 coconut gardens, each of approximately one ha in extent with very low percentage of disease incidence revealed indiscriminate spread in sandy, sandy-loam, and alluvial soils. The percentage of infection increased from 2.3 to 18.2 with 2-5 palms contracting infection every year. The spread of the disease was slower in laterite soils, with only one palm developing the disease in two years. The spread was erratic and irregular irrespective of soil conditions and occurred in jumps/leaps. The rate of spread was 1-4 km from the nearest source of infection. The pattern of spatial distribution or galaxial outbreak of the disease is suggestive of the involvement of aerial vector(s).
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J.Plantn.Crops 1980 v-8 i-2 p-90-97