Stem bleeding incidence of coconut in Hambantota district

Abstract

A heavy incidence of stem bleeding in coconut palms was reported during 1995 in Hambantota district, Sri Lanka. Palm to palm survey and laboratory investigations were conducted to determine the incidence, distribution, and cause of the epidemic. The durvey revealed that 10% of the palms in the district was affected. The stem-bleeding incidence was higher in palms closer to water bodies and irrigation channels in the area. The investigations were unable to establish the cause of stem bleeding. The distribution pattern of affected palms suggests that irrigation water may cause stem bleeding and predispose palms to the infection by Ganoderma sp. the fungus Ganoderma, which causes bole and root rot disease of coconut was consistently isolated from the palms with fruiting bodies, and authenticity of the pathogen was proved by the international mycological institute, UK,. Further studies are necessary to determine the role of water bodies in predisposing the palms to the disease.