PETIOLE ROT CAUSED BY FUSARIUM-MONILIFORME, A NEW DISEASE OF ARECA PALM

Symptoms of a previously undescribed disease were observed on greenhou se-planted Areca palms (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens), grown in La Plata (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Lower young petioles were rotted with the decay extending to the entire leaves. White mycelium was observed on d iseased petioles from which a Fusarium sp. was recovered. Based on mor phological and cultural criteria all isolates were identified as F. mo niliforme. Pathogenicity was demonstrated on Areca plants inoculated w ith the fungus. F. moniliforme was reisolated from the inoculated palm s to complete Koch's postulates.