Bud Rot in Areca Palms

Causal Agent

• A number of palm species, including areca palm, are prone to the bud rot bacterial or fungal disease. The disorder is also referred to as phytophthora or thielaviopsis bud rots. The causal fungi for the disease include Phytophthora palmivora and Thielaviopsis paradoxa. Certain bacteria are also the cause of bud rot in areca palm. Bacteria are usually the frequent cause of bud rot in palms that are suffering from cold damage.

Symptoms

• Regardless of the pathogen causing bud rot, the symptoms are similar. The disorder is characterized by the discoloration and gradual wilting of the youngest and still unopened leaves of areca palm. With disease progression, the affected foliage withers, browns and collapses entirely. Open, younger leaves have poor color and appear chlorotic or yellow. There are lesions or blighted areas on leaf blades. The leaves easily pull away from the trunk, revealing rots and foul odor.

Favorable Conditions

• The spread of the fungus is encouraged by extended periods of rain and commonly coincide with storms or hurricanes. In palms that are growing in nurseries or in containers, the disease can occur at any time of the year. Cultural conditions that make palms susceptible to the disease include exposure to cold and poor irrigation methods. There are no blighted areas on the leaf blades of palms where bud rot is caused by bacteria.

Management

• To reduce chances of infection, avoid overhead irrigation and grow the palm in well-drained soil. Water the plant during early hours to allow the foliage enough time to dry. Avoid unnecessary damage to the trunk or young leaves as these becomes entry sites for fungi and bacteria. Discard severely affected plants entirely. There is no cure for the disorder once the infection has progressed. Preventative fungicides include the use of products containing propamocarb, fosetyl-Al or mefonoxam.