Leaf blight diseases of coconut 1. studies on Pestalozzia palmarum

Abstract

The cultural behaviour of Pestalozzia palmarum cooke was studied on different agar media. Temperature-growth studies indicated that the colony growth and sporulation of the fungus were best at 25°C. The fungus grew best on potato dextrose agar. The optimum temperature for the germination of conidia was 25°C. Germination was reduced with the increase of concentration of conidia. It is doubtful whether P. palmarum is the primary cause of leaf blight of coconut in view of its inability to readily infect healthy coconut leaves.