Effects of Lightning Strike on Coconuts, Cacao and Leucaena Leucocephala in a Mixed Planting in the Gazelle Peninsula.

Abstract

The effects of a lightning strike on coconuts, cacao and Leucaena leucocephala in a mixed planting in the Gazelle Peninsula, New Britain, are described. The effects of a lightning strike on coconuts, cacao and leucaena were observed at intervals of 1 day, 7 days, 21 days, 7 weeks, 19 weeks and 32 weeks aft.er the strike. Three coconut palms showed symptoms within 24 ho11rs and others developed symptoms for the first time between 3 and 7 weeks after the strike. Survivors were showing recovery by the nineteenth week. Affected cacao trees were recovering by the time of the 7-week reading. Foliage damage on the cacao trees was similar to that produced by fire. Leucaena trees appeared to be more tolerant of the effects of the strike than cacao or coconuts.