Ganoderma
Part of: Prelims
Context: Researchers from Kerala have identified two new species of fungi from the genus Ganoderma that are associated with coconut stem rot.
Key takeaways
- The two fungi species are Ganoderma keralense and G. pseudoapplanatum.
- The DNA barcodes have been made publicly available in DNA sequence repositories so that future studies can use it for early detection of the pathogen.
- The butt rot or basal stem rot of coconut is known by several names in different parts of India.
- Such as: Ganoderma wilt (Andhra Pradesh), Anaberoga (Karnataka) and Thanjavur wilt (Tamil Nadu), to mention a few.
- The infection begins at the roots, but symptoms include discolouration and rotting of stem and leaves.
- In the later stages, flowering and nut set decreases and finally the coconut palm dies.
News Source: TH
