Early detection and integrated disease management against coconut basal stem rot disease

Abstract

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is a multipurpose palm known as kalpavriksha due to its extensive use of all plant parts. Basal stem rot disease, caused by Ganoderma lucidum/Ganoderma aplanatum in coconut, may affect this palm. Under pot culture studies, Redgram (Cajanus cajan) and Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum) were identified as indicator plants for early detection of basal stem rot (Ganoderma wilt) disease in coconut. Furthermore, in 2014, the dosage, frequency, and method of application of effective biocontrol agents, Trichoderma reesei, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and neem cake (5 kg/palm/year), were standardised and compared to root feeding of Hexaconazole @3ml/100ml of water/palm/quarter and micronutrient application @1kg/palm/year at Patha gannavaram village of east godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Soil application of a talc-based formulation containing 125 g of Trichoderma reesei and 125 g of Pseudomonas fluorescens + 5 kg of Neem cake/palm/year was found to be successful in lowering the disease index from 28.44 to 4.23 under field conditions over three years from 2014 to 2017.