PREVALENCE OF LETHAL YELLOWING DISEASE, INSECT VECTORS AND PREMATURE NUT FALL OF THE COCONUT PALMS IN NIGERIA
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Date
2013-12
Authors
Eziachi, E.I.
Odigie, E.E.
Ogunkanmi, L.A.
Adekoya, K.O.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Octa Journal of Environmental Research
Abstract
The Prevalence of lethal yellowing disease (LYD), insect vectors and premature nut fall of the
coconut palms have been studied within the locations and states visited in Nigeria. The locations were fields
with mixture of dwarfs, hybrids and West African tall coconut palms including decapitated coconut stems.
The prevalence of LYD was higher in the South South with 25.4% when compared with the South East with
2.5%. In the South West Lagos Badagry there was no LYD prevalence. However soil moisture, stress and
water-log appears to predispose palms to the condition of root wilt and bud rots which results in crownless
of the palms. This was not an indication of LYD. In the locations visited in North central zone there was no
visible occurrence of LYD. The South-South recorded high level of insect vectors on coconut canopies with
11.6%, followed by South East 6.6%, South West 4.7% and North central zone 6.9 %. The prevalence of
premature nut fall in the South-South was higher with 28.6%, South East 23.2%, South West 15.9% and
North zone 8.3% based on sample sizes. In some of the zones visited, different species of leaf and plant
hoppers likely to be insect vectors were found feeding on the canopies of LYD and premature nut fall
coconut palms. The high level of insect vectors Cicadellidae (leafhoppers) and Flugoroidea (planthoppers)
found in the South-South could possibly be the reason of high level of prevalence of LYD and premature nut
falls recorded in the region.
Description
Keywords
Coconut; LYD; Insect vector; Nut fall; Prevalence
Citation
Eziachi, E.I. Odigie, E.E. Ogunkanmi, L.A. Adekoya, K.O. 2013. PREVALENCE OF LETHAL YELLOWING DISEASE, INSECT VECTORS AND PREMATURE NUT FALL OF THE COCONUT PALMS IN NIGERIA.Octa Journal of Environmental Research. 1(4): 249-253