Aug. ii, 1923 
Phytophthora Faberi on Coconut and Cacao 
283 
palmivorum, and then later referred to Phytophthora palmivorum , as the 
latter was reported to produce antheridia and oogonia. The develop¬ 
ment of these organs was not, however, determined with certainty. 
Ashby (j) also observed antheridia and oogonia in his strain from 
coconut. 
In addition to these two hosts, Phytophthoras have been obtained 
from the following various plants in the Philippines; Two apparently 
different strains causing the fruitrot and blight of eggplant (Solanum 
melongena); a strain causing the blight of roselle seedlings {Hibiscus 
sabdariffa); a strain causing the blight of citrus seedlings and buds of 
budded plants {Citrus spp.); a strain producing the rot of abaca suckers 
{Musa textilis); and a strain causing the blight of Hevea rubber {Hevea 
brasiliensis) . From a general observation some of these strains appear 
to be identical with those described from coconut and cacao. How¬ 
ever, until a complete comparative test is made, no definite statement 
as to their identity can be given. The determination of the relationship 
of these various strains is of great importance in . a study of tropical 
diseases of plants. 
SIGNIFICANCE OF SIMILARITY OF BOTH STRAINS 
The discovery of the similarity of the strains from coconut and cacao 
is of extreme consequence from a control standpoint. In certain coco¬ 
nut sections it is a common practice to interplant with cacao. As the 
latter tree is practically always infested with the Phytophthora, this 
custom will have to be discontinued. It seems highly probable that a 
number of the other strains listed above may be identical with those on 
coconut and cacao. A study of these would prove to be of great interest 
and would bring out new means of combating the diseases. 
SUMMARY 
Coconut culture is one of the chief industries of the Philippine Islands. 
Millions of trees have been planted on the various islands of the group. 
The infectious type of budrot has made its appearance in certain sections, 
primarily in the extensive coconut regions in Laguna, Batangas, and 
Tayabas Provinces on the island of Luzon. Here sporadic epidemics 
of the disease have been authentically reported since 1908,- and thous¬ 
ands of dollars of loss has occurred since that time. 
Various organisms, including bacteria and fungi, have been considered 
responsible for the disease. In the Philippine Islands there are appar¬ 
ently two types of budrot, the really infectious type caused by a Phytoph¬ 
thora, and a secondary type following some injury such as beetle injury 
and caused, primarily by the invasion of bacteria in the weakened tissue. 
The culture of cacao in the Philippine Islands, while not extensive, 
can be considered as one of the secondary industries. The manner in 
which the trees are grown by the average farmer subjects the trees to 
severe fungus attacks. In certain sections frequently one-half of the 
cacao crop is destroyed. The canker of the branches and trunk, and 
the rot of the pods are the chief troubles, and they are caused by a 
Phytophthora. Cacao trees are often interplanted with coconut trees, 
offering a ready means of transfer of a fungus from one plant to the 
other. 
A careful study of the cross infection possibilities and the physio¬ 
logical and morphological characteristics of the fungus strains from the 
