Investigation of Agricultural Diseases and Pests in the Republic of Kiribati and the Republic of Fiji

Abstract

The Republic of Kiribati (Kiribati) and the Republic of Fiji (Fiji) are two island countries in the Middle and Eastern Pacific Ocean, respectively. Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), banana (Musa spp.), sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.), and breadfruit (Artocarpus incisa (Thunb.) L.) are the primary economic crops. To date, there have been few reports on the status of agricultural diseases and pests in these countries. From June 6 to June 16, 2023, our team investigated agricultural diseases and pests in Kiribati and Fiji. Thirty-six diseases, five pests and one parasitic plant from twenty-eight species of plants were identified in Kiribati. Among the deleterious organisms, coconut gray spot (Pestalotiopsis palmarum (Cooke) Steyaert), banana Cordana leaf spot (Cordana musae (Zimm) Hhon), hala (pandanus) leaf blight (Unidentified pathogen), breadfruit anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.), frangipani rust (Coleosporium plumierae Pat.) and noni anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.) were predominant. A total of twenty-seven diseases and one parasitic plant were identified on twenty-one species of plants in Fiji. Mango bacterial black spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. mangiferaeindicae), banana black leaf streak (Pseudocercospora musae (Zimm.) Deighton), pumpkin virus disease (Unidentified), and frangipani rust (Coleosporium plumierae Pat.) were prevalent. The results of our survey could provide the governments of Kiribati and Fiji with basic data to control the primary agricultural diseases and pests in their countries.