With the discovery of the viroid etiology of the cadang-cadang disease in the late 1970s, considerable progress has been achieved towards understanding the nature of the malady. Biochemical diagnostic assays have been developed which led to the detection of molecular variations and sequencing  of the viroid forms, identification of other hosts, and detection of a similar viroid in coconut palms in Guam and recently in coconut and oil palms in the Solomon Islands. No specific control method  can yet be recommended . However, on-going research activities will hopefully lead to the identification  of appropriate  control measures.