Cape Saint Paul Wilt Disease of coconut in Ghana: surveillance and management of disease spread

¹ CSIR – OPRI, Coconut Programme, P.O. Box 245, Sekondi, Ghana
² UPR 29, CIRAD – BIOS, Campus Int de Baillarguet, 34398 Montpellier, France
³ CSDP, Ministry of Food & Agriculture, P.O. Box 245, Sekondi, Ghana

^* nkansahpoku@yahoo.com

Abstract

The Cape Saint Paul Wilt Disease (CSPWD), a lethal-yellowing type disease of coconut has been in Ghana since 1932. Aerial and/or ground surveys were undertaken to assess the current status of the disease spread. The survey showed that the spread of the disease for the past 5 years has mainly been the expansion of existing foci. However, new outbreaks were identified at Glidzi in the Volta, Bawjiase and Efutu Breman in Central regions. After the resurgence in the Volta region in 1995, the Woe-Tegbi-Dzelukope corridor has remained endemic, but less aggressive. Pockets of healthy groves remain along all the coastline and inland of known disease zones. Eradication of diseased palms at Ampain focus lying just about 60 km to the Ivorian border, and disease situations on new replanting with MYD × VTT hybrid are discussed.