Act this week

Bunch rot in oil palm: signs and what to do

What it looks like

Fruits on the bunch soft, brown or black and rotting, sometimes with white or grey fungal growth.

What to do

Remove and destroy rotting bunches. Clean the crown, bunches and basin.
Check the palms around it every week.

Spray advice (IIOPR)

No pesticide is officially registered for oil palm in India. This is ICAR-IIOPR's published advice. Check with your mill's field officer before spraying.

IIOPR: mix 1 ml Propiconazole + Difenoconazole, or 3 g Carbendazim + Mancozeb with 2 g Streptomycin sulphate, per litre of water. Apply 300 ml in the crown and 1 litre on the bunch. Not on rainy days.

Questions

How do I recognise bunch rot in oil palm?

Fruits on the bunch soft, brown or black and rotting, sometimes with white or grey fungal growth.

What should I do about bunch rot?

Remove and destroy rotting bunches. Clean the crown, bunches and basin. Check the palms around it every week.

Sources: ICAR-IIOPR Crop Calendar 2026

Check your palm with a photo

Palm Day's photo check tells you if it's this problem or something else, in Telugu.