Why in the News?
Coconut Root Wilt Disease is witnessing rapid spread across major coconut growing regions of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, affecting lakhs of coconut palms and causing severe yield losses.
About
- Chronic, non fatal disease of coconut
- Caused by a phytoplasma which is a phloem limited pathogen
- Leads to long term decline in palm health and productivity
- Infected palms remain alive and act as persistent inoculum sources
Origin and spread
- First reported over 150 years ago from Erattupetta, Kerala
- Continues as an endemic disease in southern India
- Vector borne transmission is the primary mode of spread
- Spread accelerates due to continuous coconut belts
- Wind assisted vector movement enhances transmission
- Abiotic stress such as temperature extremes and biotic stress like new sucking pests increase susceptibility
Vector
- Spread by sap sucking insect vectors
- Important vectors include Stephanitis typica and Proutista moesta
UPSC Prelims Pointers
- Disease is non fatal but debilitating
- Caused by phytoplasma
- Spread through insect vectors
- Endemic to southern India
- Management focuses on tolerance, soil health and stress reduction
| [2018] Consider the following:Â
1. Birds 2. Dust blowing 3. Rain 4. Wind blowing Which of the above spread plant diseases? (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
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