Emerging and Existing Major Leaf Diseases of Hevea brasiliensis in Malaysia

Abstract

Hevea brasiliensis, or rubber tree, is the primary source of natural rubber, and second major commodity crop in Malaysia after oil palm.  It is known that rubber trees are prone to a wide range of foliar diseases, resulting in significant yield losses. To date, a new emerging severe leaf disease epidemic tentatively termed as Pestalotiopsis secondary leaf fall was identified affecting many rubber plantations in rubber producing countries.  In addition, five major leaf diseases that have been conclusively identified affecting rubber plantations nation-wide in Malaysia were also reviewed in this paper. These leaf diseases include secondary leaf falls of Oidium, Colletotrichum, and Corynespora, as well as Fusicoccum leaf blight and Phytophthora abnormal leaf fall. In general, this present paper reviews the recent epidemic and the major leaf diseases by focusing on causal pathogens, symptoms and its effects on rubber plantations. Information presented in this review would be useful in planning and initiating better control measures for rubber growing regions in an attempt to reduce or even prevent losses of latex yield.