Coconut Lightning Strike.

Abstract

Lightning a frequent hazard of tropical storms, is a major cause of coconut palm loss in Papua and New Guinea. The author, coconut agronomist of the Department of Agriculture, Stock and Fisheries, describes the death of 2 3 palms surrounding an observed strike in late 1956. He compares his observations with those made overseas and surmises that it is probable that the initial strike weakens the palm, permitting invasion by some pathogenic organism. Mr. Charles also says detailed study of the phenomenon is undoubtedly warranted