Canary Date Palm Diseases
- Diseases of the Canary Date Palmpalm tree image by Wolszczak from Fotolia.com
The canary date palm tree is a variety that produces gray-green colored leaves and grows to a height of up to 20 feet. The date fruit produced by the tree is fleshy, brown and sweet. Canary date palm trees are susceptible to fungal and bacterial diseases that attack both the trunk and leaves. The diseases can be controlled by preventing the spread or introduction of the disease. - The most common disease found in the canary date palm tree is Fusarium wilt. This fungus disease is fatal to the tree once it becomes infected. The symptoms of Fusarium wilt include yellowing and wilting of leaves, stunted growth and death of young leaf growth. Fusarium oxysporum fungus is spread primarily through the use of infected pruning tools. Prevent a disease infection by disinfecting pruning and cutting tools with a solution of nine parts water and one part bleach prior to using.
- Lethal yellowing is a deadly disease caused by the pathogen phytoplasm. Infected date palm trees present the symptoms of early dropping fruit and foliage that starts out as light yellow and eventually turns to dark yellow. The tree dies within six months after discoloration occurs. An infected date palm tree should be removed and destroyed immediately once the disease is diagnosed. Date palm trees not infected with the pathogen should be treated with oxytetracycline to prevent the pathogen from spreading to them.
- Leaf spot is caused by either a parasitic fungus or bacteria. The disease is foliar in nature, meaning it affects the leaves of the date palm tree. Leaf spot appears on the leaves of the tree as small black and brown colored spots with a yellow border. The disease is spread to the tree by insects, splashing rain or irrigation water or dirty pruning tools. Treat leaf spot by removing and disposing of all infected leaves and applying a fungicide to the tree and surrounding soil. Prevent the spread of leaf spot by irrigating the trees at the soil level instead of spraying with water. Disinfect all pruning tools with a cleaning solution that is nine parts water and one part bleach prior to making cuts to the tree.
- Ganoderma, also known as ganoderma butt rot, is a woody shelf fungus that forms at the base of the trunk in the form of a mushroom. The disease is lethal to the tree once the infection occurs. Symptoms of a ganoderma infection are yellow and wilted trunk fronds that eventually droop and die. Ganoderma invades the date palm through a wound in the trunk. The tree should be removed and disposed of as there is no treatment available. Prevent a ganoderma infection by disinfecting pruning equipment with a solution of nine parts water and one part bleach prior to using.
