A disease is decimating coconut palms in Papua New Guinea

In Papua New Guinea, coconut palms and certain varieties of banana are affected by Bogia syndrome, a new disease caused by phytoplasms (insect-borne bacteria). The disease is threatening the international coconut collection for the whole of the Pacific region, in Madang province. The collection comprises 3200 individuals representing 57 varieties, and is intended to conserve varieties from the region. The disease has economic and social consequences, and also in terms of conservation. Researchers from several organizations, including CIRAD and Bioversity International, are on the warpath.