Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds

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Summary

• Narrow distribution. In the Philippines and Samoa. On coconut. A rare, but serious, disease of seedlings in Samoa, of unknown cause. Possibly, caused by bacteria.
• Long, yellow streaks turning brown parallel to the veins, becoming a blight during several days of rain.
• In Samoa, up to 50% death of Malayan Dwarf seedlings.
• Cultural control: cover seedbeds with fronds to prevent rain splash; monitor, and remove infected seedlings as soon as seen; move the nursery to a different site; avoid the susceptible Malayan Dwarf and its hybrids.
• Chemical control: prune infected leaves and spray with copper.