Symptoms
The youngest spear leaf wilts, browns and pulls out with a foul-smelling soft rot at the crown. Once the single growing point rots the palm cannot recover and dies.
Prevention
Plant tolerant material with good crown drainage and avoid mechanical wounds to the crown. Remove and burn affected crowns to stop spore spread, especially in the wet season.
Treatment
Organic
Remove rotted tissue down to healthy growth and apply a copper paste to the crown. Drench healthy nearby palms with phosphonate as a protectant.
Chemical (last resort)
Apply metalaxyl or phosphonate to the crown at first symptoms and protect neighbouring palms. Advanced bud rot is fatal — focus on early detection and observe PHI.
Affects 1 crop
Sources
MARDI Coconut Production Guide; DOA IPM Manual