Tanjore wilt (Ganoderma lucidum)

Symptoms

• The Characteristic symptom of the disease is the rotting of the basal portion of the stem.
• The bark turns brittle and often gets peeled off in flakes, leaving open cracks and crevices.
• The internal tissues are discoloured and disintegrated, emitting a bad smell.
• Mild bleeding occurs on the basal region.
• The tissues on the bleeding spots are soft to touch.
• Extensive damage of the root system following root rotting has been observed. Ultimately the palm dies off.

Management

• Apply organic manure @ 50 kg palm^-1.
• Apply neem cake @ 5 kg palm^-1 year^-1.