Leaf rot — Coconut

Symptoms

The first symptoms usually appear on the spindle leaf as minute, water-soaked reddish-brown or brown lesions. The lesions enlarge and merge, resulting in extensive rotting of the affected leaf tissues. When infection occurs early during spindle emergence, decay may progress rapidly into the inner portions of the spindle. The tips of rotten leaflets may stick together, while their basal portions remain separated. As the leaf expands, the rotten portions dry out and may break away in small pieces. The affected leaflets become blackened, shrivelled and partially missing. The midrib may remain after the leaf blade or affected leaflet portions have broken away. The damaged leaf consequently develops a characteristic fan-like appearance. In severe cases, the spindle fails to unfurl normally. If the disease continues unchecked, successive emerging leaves may become affected, causing extensive damage to the crown.