Malabar region in Kerala (Fig. 1). Survey was conducted during 1998-2000 disease seasons. The plantation units, distributed over the selected locations were visited for disease assessment during peak disease period (March-May). A total of 171 units 1998, 158 units in 1999 and 191 units in 2000 disease seasons were visited for this purpose. For each selected unit, disease assessment was made for 25 plants of each available