New and Interesting Identifications (Helminthosporium Disease of Manila Hemp)

Abstract

During the past few months this Department has received several inquiries concerning the prospects of establishing the manila hemp plant, Musatextilis, on a commercial scale in the Territory. In May, 1954, a disease, stem rot, was diagnosed on plants at Bubia and, later, the same disease was found oh plants at the Lowlands Agricultural Experiment Station, Keravat. The purpose of this short article is to present a description of the disease, and to consider its influence on the development of a manila hemp industry in Papua and New Guinea.