- Widespread distribution. Two leafspots: brown leaf spot (BLS) - Pseudoepicoccum widespread in the tropics ; and grey leaf spot (GLS) - Pestalotiopsis in Southeast Asia, Africa, Caribbean, Oceania. Both occur on coconut, betel nut, oil palm. Fungal diseases of low importance.
- BLS – oval spots, up to 10 mm long with grey centres and brown margins. Black powdery spores mass below. GLS – grey with thin brown border and tiny black dots containing the spores.
- Spread in wind and rain. Worse on older leaves.
- Cultural control: improve nutrition (diseases are a sign of poor growing conditions); decrease shade in nursery.
- Chemical control: none recommended as treatments would likely be uneconomic.
