The coconut has been spreading out in Paraíba State, mainly in Alto Piranhas microrregion, which yield besides supplying the regional market it is being exported to the South and Southeast regions of Brasil. The aim of this research was to determine the ethyology and the progress of a coconut hibrid foliar disease observed in the district of São Gonçalo, Sousa, Paraíba State. The studies concerning to the disease ethiology were carried out into laboratory and greenhouse. Epiphytiologic observations related to the disease progress in the coconut plantations were made monthly in order to determine the incidence, severity and infection rates. A fungus of the Pestalotiopsis (Pestalotia) genera was isolated and developed disease symptoms when was inoculated in wounded coconut leaves. The symptoms presented by the leaves either naturally and artificially infected were similars to those described in the literature for the coconut leaf spot caused by Pestalotiopsis guepinii. The incidence in all evaluations were equal to 100%. It was obtained negative infection rates for severity. The higher values of severity occurred associated to the presence of mites and coccidies in the plants.
disease; epidemic; coconut fruit
