Kochu Babu, M.2014-08-052014-08-051989J.Plantn.Crops 1989 v-16 p-281-286http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/4581Spear rot is characterised by yellowing of inner whorl of leaves and spear rot, and causes drastic reduction in vigour and productivity. The extent of the disease is up to 1 per cent in oil palm plantations of Kerala. The disease has not been reported from Andaman Islands. Preliminary observations on the pattern of spread indicate that while fresh occurrences are sporadic, palms adjacent-to the disease affected ones are more vulnerable to the disease. Occurrence is severe in low lying marshy places and slopes. Fusarium monilifornc and F. semitectun were isolated from spear rot affected leaves. As a precautionary measure, eradication of diseased palms in mildely affected plantations is recommended.enArticle