Ganoderma zonatum
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Ganoderma zonatumGanoderma zonatum is a plant pathogen that infects the palm species. It is a fungus that that infects the bottom 4 -5 feet (120 - 150cm) of the plant. It has been known to be in both natural and planted environments and in the majority of cases only in palms. Symptoms and DiagnosisSymptoms of Ganoderma zonatum are general decline in the health of the plant, wilting and discoloration of the leaves and slow growth. However this is noticeable in many different plant diseases and can not be used as a diagnosis tool. There are only two ways to fully identify Ganoderma zonatum. One is the bacidocarp (or conk) forming on the plant with the other viewing the internal rotting of the palm on the inside once it has been cut down1.Life CycleThe fungus is spread between the plants due to the spores produced in the bacidocarp. The spores land on the soil and germinate. The hyphae then grow over the plant roots and up into the woody trunk. The fungus damages the palm trunk closest to the soil first, expands in diameter and moves up the center of the trunk causing a cone like shape of infected trunk. When the bacidocarp emerges it is at the highest point at which the fungus will internally grow. Protection and ControlThere is currently no method for the control of Ganoderma zonatum one it has been identified 2 however minimizing the amount of moisture can decrease the risk of a palm becoming infected by the fungus. In places where a palm has previously been planted, which was infected by the fungus another should not be planted as the spores can survive in the soil.
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