Coconut’s Bud Rot by Phytophthora palmivora: A Destructive Disease

Abstract

Phytophthora palmivora (Butler) is a cosmopolitan hemibiotrophic oomycete that may infect over 200 plant species, including cocos nucifera, one of the world’s most valuable crops which is commonly called as Coconut. Coconut is a key economic commodity in India, plays an important role in contributing to India’s GDP of about 15,000 crore rupees and 72% of worlds total production is from India and productivity is also high in India. Bud rot disease caused by Phytophthora palmivora grounds a significant amount of crop loss each year. Phytophthora palmivora infects many parts of the coconut plant including the buds, causing bud rot disease. This review focuses on the overview of Coconut production in India and Phytophthora palmivora infection to bud of coconut plant. We highlight some current findings on the bud rot disease of coconut caused by Phytophthora palmivora. This review examines the identification of Phytophthora palmivora as a cause of bud rot disease of coconut in India, its isolation, inhibition and discuss the importance of Phytophthora palmivora as a major threat to coconut palm plantings globally.