206 DISEASES OF TROPICAL PLANTS CH . vi 



the Philippines, which according to his description is 

 very similar to the supposed bud rot of Cuba and 

 Jamaica, but offers no explanation as to the cause. A 

 similar bud rot has also been reported from Portuguese 

 East Africa. 



Root Rot of Betel-nut Palm. This disease has been 

 reported from India, where it occurs on the betel-nut 

 palm (Areca catechu). The disease is first detected by 

 a dropping of the nuts, followed by a change in the 

 general appearance of the apical bud, a withering of the 

 leaves, beginning with those on the outside, and, finally, 

 destruction of the entire head. The cause of this disease 

 is a fungus which works on the roots, and although the 

 species has not been definitely determined it is supposed 

 to be Pomes lucidus, Fries. The remedies suggested 

 are the digging of a trench outside the root area to 

 prevent the spread of the fungus through the soil, and 

 the complete destruction of the diseased tree by burning. 

 The ground should not be replanted with another tree 

 of this kind for at least one year. F. lucidus is also 

 said to attack the coco-nut palms in Ceylon. 



Root diseases have been reported from Trinidad, 

 British Guiana, Jamaica, and Travancore, but the data 

 concerning them is not sufficient to warrant definite 

 statements at this time. 



