Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds

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Summary

• Narrow distribution. Only found in the Madang area of Papua New Guinea. On coconut, betel and banana. A major disease.
• Coconuts with yellowing, drooping leaves, early nutfall, and rapid death. Banana plants with yellow leaves and dark streaks in the vascular tissues.
• Spread by insect is presumed, but not yet identified.
• Biosecurity: To contain the disease, there are restrictions on plant movements from the Province to elsewhere in Papua New Guinea, unless it passes through a period of quarantine.
• Cultural and chemical control: none recommended.