From brian at gweep.ca Wed Mar 3 11:57:20 2004 From: brian at gweep.ca (Brian Edmonds) Date: Sat Jan 15 17:14:02 2005 Subject: Press Release - Ornamental Palms Vulnerable to Disease Message-ID: <374qt592t0.fsf@lios.aq2.gweep.ca> PRESS RELEASE For immediate release Contact: Amy Steigman American Phytopathological Society E-mail: mailto:asteigman@scisoc.org Phone: +1.651.454.7250 / Web: http://www.apsnet.org/ Ornamental Palms Vulnerable to Disease St. Paul, Minn. (March 3, 2004) - Considered the princes of the plant world, palms are unlike many plant families in the fact that they provide both food and shelter to people, while at the same time are admired and collected for aesthetic reasons. But according to plant pathologists with The American Phytopathological Society (APS), the same genetic structure that gives the palm so many wonderful attributes is the same structure that makes them susceptible to lethal and destructive diseases. According to Monica Elliott, plant pathology professor at the University of Florida's Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, the palm's anatomy is more similar to that of a corn plant than that of an oak tree, with each stem having a single bud or heart. Once that tissue is damaged, death is likely. "Palms cannot repair injuries to their stems, and diligent effort must be made to prevent injuries that create opportunities for insect or pathogen invasion of the trunk," she said. Ganoderma butt rot and Phytophthora bud rot are just two of the most problematic diseases of palms. Ganoderma butt rot, caused by the fungus Ganoderma zonatum, is prevalent in Florida, where it has been found on more than 50 palm species. "Ganoderma butt rot is always a lethal disease of palms," said Elliott. "By the time symptoms develop, usually more than half of the lower trunk has been killed by the fungus," she said. In Florida, palm trees of 58 species have died from this fungus and no effective controls are known for this disease. Phytophthora bud rot can be caused by several species of Phytophthora, and occurs in most places where palms are grown. This pathogen has been reported on palms from more than 20 countries as well as from California, Florida, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. In total, the species of Phytophthora have a broad host range and have been reported to attack more than 25 palm species. "Bud rot is always fatal to coconut trees, but other smaller palms like parlor palms have been saved by application of metalaxyl to prevent pathogen establishment," said Janice Uchida, plant pathologist from the University of Hawaii. Uchida's laboratory is currently screening new chemicals to control Phytophthora diseases. More on this subject, including factors leading to infection, symptoms, and disease management strategies, is available in The Compendium of Ornamental Palm Diseases and Disorders published by APS PRESS (http://www.shopapspress.org/newandonsath1.html). Additional information on palm disease can also be found in this month's APS feature article at http://www.apsnet.org/online/feature/palm. The American Phytopathological Society (APS) is a non-profit, professional scientific organization leading the fight against plant diseases for a healthier world with 5,000 members worldwide. - 30- Note to editors: To receive accompanying photos, please contact APS at mailto:asteigman@scisoc.org or +1.651.994.3802. From brian at gweep.ca Wed Mar 17 13:08:05 2004 From: brian at gweep.ca (Brian Edmonds) Date: Sat Jan 15 17:14:02 2005 Subject: PRO/PL> Moko disease, banana - Jamaica (St. James) Message-ID: <377jxj6xun.fsf@lios.aq2.gweep.ca> MOKO DISEASE, BANANA - JAMAICA (ST. JAMES) ****************************************** A ProMED-mail post ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases Date: 16 Mar 2004 From: ProMED-mail Source: Jamaica Observer [edited] St James banana farmers bracing for impact of Moko disease -------------------------- A section of one affected banana field in Maroon Town, St James, where farmers have complained that both their banana and plantain plants, have started to show wilting and reduced fruit size, symptomatic of Moko disease. Western Bureau banana farmers in Southern St James are already tallying losses they expect to incur from destruction of 20 acres of fields infected with the disease. Leroy Grey estimated that he stands to lose over $1.5 million if his 10-acre field in Maroon Town is among those that will be destroyed. Grey told the Observer that he will lose the field and his investment of $120 000 to $150 000 per acre. He also had concerns about the cost for new fields and the replanting of a new crop. Robert Chambers, proprietor of Maroon Pride banana chips factory in Maroon Town, said that if the disease becomes widespread, over 3000 farmers are expected to be adversely affected. "120 farmers sell us bananas and another 50 work directly or indirectly at the chips factory." Farmers, as well as those who produce banana chips, are bracing for the effect of the disease on their sole source of income. On Thu 11 Mar 2004, Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke announced that 20 acres of banana fields from 5 farms in St James would be destroyed in a move to curb disease spread. ------------------------------ ProMED-mail [Moko disease of banana is caused by the bacterium _Ralstonia solanacearum_ [Rs], race 2 (biovar 1). The disease occurs in Trinidad, Amazonian Brazil, Peru, Guatemala, southern Mexico, Grenada, Philippines, and Central and South America. Moko disease is considered a greater threat to both commercial and subsistence farmers than _Fusarium_ spp.and Sigatoka leaf spot of bananas caused by 2 related ascomycetous fungi (_Mycosphaerella fijiensis_ and _M. musicola_), which incite black leaf streak disease and Sigatoka disease, respectively. More than 85 000 farmers grow bananas on about 10 000 hectares of land in several parishes. The industry earned more than USD 27 million in 2003 and is a constant cash flow for thousands in barely marginal existence. Rs also infects tomato, taro, and coconut. Unfortunately there is no known resistance to Rs. The pathogen is spread rapidly by insects contaminated with bacteria following foraging on infected floral tissues. Disease management is difficult and expensive, and can only be effectively implemented on large commercial plantations due to cost. Recommendations to restrict the spread of the disease include weekly inspection of crops for symptoms and strict implementation of standard phytosanitary measures. Replanting of any field with banana, plantain or other host crops should be prohibited for at least a year after infected plants have been killed. Movement of vehicles from an infected farm to other banana or plantain fields should be prohibited. Reference: - Mod.DH] .......................................mpp/dh/pg/lm *##########################################################* ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the information, and of any statements or opinions based thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID and its associated service providers shall not be held responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted or archived material. ************************************************************ Visit ProMED-mail's web site at . Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help, etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a human being send mail to: owner-promed@promedmail.org. ############################################################ ############################################################ From brian at gweep.ca Fri Mar 26 10:42:06 2004 From: brian at gweep.ca (Brian Edmonds) Date: Sat Jan 15 17:14:02 2005 Subject: This Month in Plant Disease Message-ID: <378yhn1p5i.fsf@lios.aq2.gweep.ca> As a subscriber to APS news, you are receiving this update to keep you informed on the latest plant disease information as published in Plant Disease, an official APS publication. This Month in Plant Disease... April 2004 Survival of Karnal Bunt of Wheat Dependent on Soil Type http://www.apsnet.org/pd/summaries/dap04sum.asp#Bonde Isolate Comparison Tracks Aggressiveness of Yield-Reducing Soybean Disease http://www.apsnet.org/pd/summaries/dap04sum.asp#Kull Researchers Identify Fungi and Fungal Pathogens Affecting South African Vegetable http://www.apsnet.org/pd/summaries/dap04sum.asp#Blodgett Destructive Potato Virus Confirmed in U.S. and Canada http://www.apsnet.org/pd/summaries/dap04sum.asp#Xu Scientists Develop New Methods of Identifying Previously Undetectable Strain of Potato Virus http://www.apsnet.org/pd/summaries/dap04sum.asp#Shiel Researchers Study Effectiveness of Fungicide Used to Treat Stone Fruit Disease http://www.apsnet.org/pd/summaries/dap04sum.asp#Yoshimura Study Evaluates Effects of Turfgrass Disease Fungicide on Water Quality http://www.apsnet.org/pd/summaries/dap04sum.asp#Vincelli Freezing Technique Shows Promise in Controlling Destructive Strawberry Disease http://www.apsnet.org/pd/summaries/dap04sum.asp#Mertely To view interpretive summaries of the articles, please click on the corresponding links. For more information, or to receive a full copy of the article, please contact Amy Steigman at mailto:asteigman@scisoc.org or call +1.651.454.7250. Plant Disease is a leading international journal of applied plant pathology, published by The American Phytopathological Society. It publishes original research articles focusing on practical aspects of plant disease diagnosis and control. Each issue also includes a monthly feature article summarizing a significant topic in plant pathology. The Disease Notes section contains timely reports of new diseases, outbreaks, and other pertinent observations. For a full list of contents, visit http://www.apsnet.org/pd/current/. The American Phytopathological Society 3340 Pilot Knob Road St. Paul, MN 55121-2097 Phone: +1.651.454.7250 Fax: +1.651.454.0766 E-mail: mailto:aps@scisoc.org To unsubscribe, send e-mail to mailto:asteigman@scisoc.org.