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Diseases of Coconut Palms. 
In Malaya, coconut palm diseases have not hitherto 
called for much attention. The general situation in 
respect of coconut plantations is the opposite to 
that of rubber. The coconut palm is indigenous to 
Malaya or was introduced naturally, and grows 
crowded together along river banks owing to the 
fruits being suitable for water dispersal, and 
plantation conditions more or less simulate those 
obtaining in nature. It is therefore probable that 
no physiological strain is imposed under plantation 
conditions, and the trees have every chance of deve- 
loping along the proper lines. 
A few diseases of coconuts, the most important of 
which is Bud-Rot, require mention. 
Bud-Rot. 
“ Bud-Rot ” is a general term and the disease 
has been recorded on most palms, e.g. areca palm, 
African oil palm and palmyra palm. The mature 
leaves of palms surround the growing point, forming 
a very substantial protective sheath. The growing 
point, from which the newly developing leaves arise, 
is part of a large mass of spongy tissue, very rich 
in food materials, known as the cabbage or bud. 
If this bud is injured in any way, and micro- 
organisms effect an entry, a rapid rot is caused and 
the firm bud tissues disintegrate to a soft, pulpy, 
evil-smelling mass, the growing point being involved 
in the general destruction. The evil odour indicates 
the rapid putrefaction which is being caused by 
different kinds of fungi and bacteria. When the 
tissue of the growing point is wholly destroyed, no 
further growth can take place and the palm dies. 
