Diseases of Coconut Seedlings at Nursery Stage in Awka, Anambra State

Abstract

The Coconut (Cocos nucifera) fruit is a fibrous drupe with multiple uses and is widely disseminated on almost all continents. Coconut production is threatened by diseases causing significant economic losses. This study investigated Diseases of Coconut Seedlings at Nursery Stage in Awka, Anambra State. The study was carried out in two nurseries, one in Oby Okoli and another in Udoka Estate. The medium used for the isolation of pathogens in the samples collected was Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA). Inocula were prepared from unhealthy coconut leaves and nuts that showed symptoms of leaf spot, leaf blight and nut rot. Isolation of fungi was done by agar dilution plate method. Subcultures were prepared using inocula from different organisms in the mixed cultures to obtain a pure cultures. Physical observations revealed bud spot, leaf blight, and nut rot in infected seedlings. Fusarium solani, Rhizopus stolonifer, Phytophthora parasitica, and Aspergillus niger were identified as primary fungal pathogens, with Fusarium solani and Rhizopus stolonifer dominating. No bacterial growth was detected, possibly due to inadequate moisture. The study highlights the significance of fungal diseases in coconut production and emphasizes the need for effective management strategies. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, accurate identification of fungal isolates and targeted disease management are crucial for maintaining healthy coconut palms.

Keywords: Diseases; Coconut; Seedlings; Nursery; Stage; Awka; Anambra, State

Citation

Okigbo RN, Ezebo RO, Chukwu JI. Diseases of Coconut Seedlings at Nursery Stage in Awka, Anambra State. WebLog J Nutr Food Sci. wjnfs.2026. e1302. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20210574