Imagine arriving in Hawaii and realize that the majority of the coconut trees on the islands have become extinct. This would be like to discover that the flowers associated with Hawaii - hibiscus and orchids - have disappeared from the landscape of this remote tropical paradise thousands of miles from the mainland, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. An insidious, devastating, "cancer" is decimating coconut palms in Hawaii at an alarming rate - 15 percent of trees were destroyed by a deadly pathogen known as Phytophthora katsurae, which causes heart rot coconut. What are the symptoms of loss of Phytophthora? Abnormal small to mature nuts was almost a common sign of early disease. Infected fruits are mottled dark spots and rots. expansion of irregular brown infected areas often creates circular green spots or islands of green tissue surrounded by diseased areas. Soaking water is common on large unripe fruits and appears as dark green, oily cloth on the border areas who are sick. sick young fruit less than three inches long are usually brown without spots. Internally, the skin of infected fruits older is reddish-brown to red. The infected meat or endosperm, is white, cream, or slightly brown. The pathogen can penetrate mature nuts by growing through the pores of germination, at the end of the stem nut. The first symptoms of young trees or mature are wilting, discoloration, and death of the youngest leaf. Unfurled leaves lance can also die early in the course of the disease. Dead leaves are folded abnormally, but remain attached to the trunk of a couple of weeks, bending over or between the older green leaves. In the following months, more leaves die and fall off, leaving a pair of lower foliage. Roots and lower trunk tissue to remain healthy and functional for many months, and continue to provide the lowest leaves of nutrients and moisture. Eventually all of the fall foliage, producing bare trunks. Less frequently, older leaves die first, resulting in trees with few young, upright fronds. Why do the young leaves are vertically oriented, infected plants appear rigid. By the time leaf death is observed, the internal heart rot is already well advanced. These diseased trees have large rotted areas involving most of the terminal bud. Killing of lone striker up eventually causes the death of the palm. sick nuts and heart rot, followed by plant death, were associated with a species of Phytophthora. The pathogen of coconut produce sexual spores abundant and distinctive in the host tissue. Each spore is produced in a mother cell that is characteristic swelling of the bubble-like and a base for long. How to Fight PathogenOnce the trees are infected, death from the disease appears to be inevitable, and several hundred trees were lost throughout Hawaii since 1970. Since the host range of Phytophthora appears to be limited to coconuts, eradication and control options are feasible exclusion. All the infected plants and nuts must be destroyed by incineration or deep burial. Prompt removal of diseased trees reduces the likelihood of contamination of soil with the pathogen. The sexual spores of most species of Phytophthora can survive in soil without host plants. The removal of diseased material also prevent the spread of the pathogen to healthy trees. Many diseased trees have been observed in wetlands over Kauai, Big Island and Maui and Oahu. Entrepreneurs need to prevent the collection of coconut-planting material from these areas. From mature trees may be infected, but remain without symptoms for many months, careful selection of nuts and plants clean and healthy trees is necessary. Stock Seedlings or plants to be grown in relatively dry areas to minimize the establishment of the pathogen on new plants. Because of the epidemiology of the disease in Hawaii is not known exactly how the pathogen spreads which are not specifically known. Based on studies of other Phytophthora diseases, however, the wind-driven rain, power and movement of insects or the activities of other small animals are probably important factors in the spread of the disease. Moisture promotes strong growth, spore production, and dissemination of the pathogen, and the development of Phytophthora diseases. Sexual spores of the pathogen occur in large numbers of patients within shells and logs. These thick-walled resistant structures allow the pathogen to survive for long periods in a dormant state. The pathogen is seed-borne as sexual spores are common in the skin of fruits sick. The removal of the nut clusters and heavy leaf pruning of large trees have probably helped the spread of the disease. microscopic spores from diseased tissue become contaminated cutting tools and infect healthy trees during pruning later. In addition, wounding the base of stem, cutting green branches exposes the plant tissues are highly susceptible to infection by pathogens. Whenever possible, tree cutting should be done during the dry season. Equipment must be cleaned, then dipped in a disinfectant after cutting operations were completed on each tree, particularly at sites known to have the disease. Fungicides such as Subdue 2E (metalaxyl), Dithane M-45 (mancozeb), Aliette (fosethyl-Al), and Truban (ethazole) are known to be effective protectants against other Phytophthora diseases, but are ineffective for treating the trees with rot advanced the terminal bud or heart. Limited control in the early stages of disease can be achieved by eliminating the diseased fruit trees that have died young leaves, protect the surface of the wound with a pruning sealant and thereby prevent the progression of the disease in the trunk. A good plan is to plant coconut trees more often. The life of a coconut tree can be only 15 to 25 years with this disease in Hawaii, and younger trees should be planted at regular intervals. From Genesis to Epidemic ProportionsCoconut trees had been relatively free of the disease in Hawaii, before the discovery of Phytophthora katsurae in 1971 by Dr. Minoru Aragaki from a sample collected at Wailua, Kauai, according to the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) in Honolulu. Infected trees died within a year. Dr. Janice Uchida and Aragaki worked on the disease over the years. During 1980, Phytophthora has been found on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island as well. Interisland movement of nuts, plants and large trees, as well as cutting trees, probably contributed to the escalation of disease of epidemic proportions. Fearing that the icon of an age-old could become extinct in Hawaii in a not too distant future, experts here have launched a concerted effort to combat heart rot of coconut. Philippe Visintainer, owner operator of Hawaii Coconut Protectors on Maui, is leading the battle against Phytophthora with unabashed zeal. "The University of Hawaii has begun research on Kauai late '80s," Visintainer said. "The hurricane hit Kauai in 1992 Inika and destroyed the fabric of the research. Nothing was done to control the disease in an environment until I picked up the project in the late 90s. I was managing a tropical plantation in Maui. I planted many coconut trees on the property, and I noticed that some of the trees were dying. I was worried, so I talked with the University of Hawaii, the Department of Agriculture specialists and other pathogens. " Visintainer invited experts from around the world to Maui to assist in establishing research plots. Experimented with various formulas to combat the pathogen. Visintainer was on the board of directors of the Maui Farm Bureau for about six years. As part of the Management Board, supported a draft law of the State of Hawaii legislature in 2000, to extend the research on heart rot of coconut. The bill was approved and $ 10,000 was budgeted for the project. Visintainer understand that research on Phytophthora would be hampered, if not start a war against the pathogen. Make a commitment "I stopped working for planting and founded a company called Hawaii Coconut Protectors," Visintainer said. "We broadcast a video on public television on all the islands, describing the spread of heart rot of coconut and what we are doing to combat it. Our approach was to educate the public about the disease. We met with people in the landscape industry in collaboration with the University of Hawaii. We conducted a search. We offered a program of injection across the state that protects the coconut trees by the pathogen. Besides this, we are promoting elimination. Over the next few years, we want to implement an eradication program through a grant from the federal government. We have not yet applied for a grant, because it is a good time to be asking for money. "The formula injection was successful, according to Visintainer. He has worked with hotels, resorts, condominiums and private Hawaii. Visintainer is also trying to get Maui County to take action against the pathogen. His company has developed a formula based on phosphoric acid. Visintainer refers to it as the approach to increase nutrients. The injection promotes the overall health of a coconut tree, and fruitful. At the same time, creates an environment that rejects the heart of the palm pathogen. "We inject trees at about chest high, and the formula is systemic, then the tree will bring the formula to the top of the leaves and back down into the heart of palm in about 2-4 weeks, depending on the tree" , Visintainer said. "We have achieved a success rate of 95 percent with healthy trees. We are not certain how the disease spreads, whether by way of rodents, tree trimming, or insects. It seems that the wind-driven rain is an important factor. L 'moves with the wind and rain, and gets into the crown of the tree, and is gaining momentum in the heart of palm. " Visintainer prejudice usually five to 15 percent of infected trees. Most of the time, the time looking at the trees, and people have realized that having a problem, the trees are rotten. There is nothing Visintainer can do at that point. There are 350 species of pathogen worldwide, and has spread to many different plants, ranging from pineapple to oaks. Visintainer suggested that the pathogen arrived in Hawaii when travelers brought plants and materials here. At this point, the pathogen is unique for the coconut trees in Hawaii. It 'started on the windward side of islands, but has spread to the leeward side of islands. Visintainer identified infestations on golf courses. He reasons that maintenance crews to deliver volumes of water to keep courses green coconut trees to receive volumes of water too. Educating the public "This encourages the spread of the pathogen, because it lives in damp," Visintainer said. "In Hawaii, we have high levels of humidity and moisture. People worry that the agent, if they knew. We're probably talking about tens of thousands of coconut trees. If you have a tree, dying for the pathogen, it's just a tree, perhaps a grove of 50 trees, so it is often difficult to recognize the pathogen and its potential to infect more trees. By the time the tree is diseased and dead tree trimmer can come along and cut the tree. There are still 49 coconut trees, so do not feel there is a serious problem. However, do not wait until 30 percent of the population is infected with AIDS, to recognize the problem. Since then, you lost the battle. "With the coconut trees, the experts can manage the disease before it is out of control, according to Visintainer. He received the support of many people. "We charge a fee for the injections, which is $ 20 per coconut tree, and if there are 50 trees or more, it charges $ 15 per tree," Visintainer said. "There is now much more awareness that there was five to 10 years ago. There's a good chance we'll win the battle. "The word to CommunityDr Research. Jeri Ooka, plant pathologist, Department of Environmental and Plant Protection, University of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), University of Hawaii to Kauai, he started working on the disease during the epidemic from 1982 to 1985 and recognized the stage of putrefaction result of the disease. Ooka demonstrated with pathogenic isolates of the pathogen. During the mid-1980s, Dr.. Aragaki, Uchida, Norman Nagata Uchida and others in the group has confirmed the pathogenicity of Phytophthora katsurae on fruits and young plants. These experiments were the first who identified the causal agent, as pure cultures of the pathogen were placed on healthy host, who became ill. Molokai was not controlled, but seems to be free from the disease on the leeward side of the island, according to Ooka. And 'certain that bud rot caused by pathogens was here in 1971. E 'likely that the disease was here in 1966. Moving around in the trees over the past 30 years has spread the pathogen would spread faster than naturally. The value of the trees that made the disease more evident. Each tree is worth more than $ 1,000 and the trees are extremely difficult to replace. "From 1982 to 1992 extensive field tests were implemented to test various fungicides for control of the disease," Ooka said. "The first study involved placing a copper-based fungicides in the spiral leaf of the tree. Later tests were usually with different rates of systemic fungicide metalaxyl and fosethyl-Al as sprays, drenches or injections. Potassium phosphate is the compound last to be placed in evidence. 'S last formal process that I conducted was in 1992. This process was abruptly interrupted by Hurricane Inika. All the tests were inconclusive with fosethyl-Al and potassium phosphite showing the best promise less and metalaxyl. "The formula to inject coconut trees was derived from South Africa, U.S., European and Australian publications reporting use of metalaxyl, fosethyl-Al, Al-fosethyl injections and potassium phosphite for control of diseases caused by Phytophthora, according Ooka. The disease is known to familiar landscape with coconut trees. Tree trimmer almost always know of the disease, but not necessarily the details. Homeowners, condominium association boards of directors, hotel keepers and grounds keepers green golf courses are familiar with the disease as it affects their trees. Ooka notes that bud rot can never eliminate all the coconuts in Hawaii. Ooka explains that Hawaii is a dynamic system with biological factors that influence the balance between pathogen and host, resulting in the presence or absence of disease. There are biological reasons, economic, cultural, aesthetic and to keep the coconut trees. Cocos nucifera is the only remaining species of its kind. It is a traditional economic system for the low land tropics, which provides many of the raw materials for survival in the livelihood systems and tropical ocean. For industrial economies, coconut oil was once an important raw material for the manufacture of products. It has acquired cultural significance in societies that depend on it. "It 's an important adornment, which identifies the Hawaii and other places, like a tropical paradise for tourists," Ooka said. "The pathogen can never be completely eradicated. In this sense, we can not win a war against it. As the host of changes, so do pathogens. Sometimes the environment is allied with the host, sometimes with the pathogen. Our goal is to keep the severity of the disease and the presence of an economically acceptable level. "Applying the principles of public health goes a long way towards this way, according to Ooka. There are things people can do to prevent the spread of the pathogen as plants from clean seed, collected from healthy trees growing in a dry environment. Ooka recommended germinate seeds in a mix of good container, modified with disease suppressive compost. Once they are planted in the field, plants should not be excessively fertilized watered. Trees for wet, cool areas that are more likely to be infected, should not be used for transplantation. "Do not plant trees in inappropriate places," Ooka said. "For example, do not plant trees in a suitable environment for the disease and not likely to coconuts. This includes most of the sites of over 1,000 meters high, or more than 100 mm of annual rainfall on the windward side of the island. If you plant in these areas, the tree will not survive more than 20 years. Bud rot in endemic areas, trees may succumb to the disease in 10 or 15 years. In dry areas suitable for coconut, nitrogen fertilizer and water must be controlled to avoid creating too many tissues susceptible to the pathogen "If Visintainer, other experts and the community to Hawaii a successful war against Phytophthora . - And win - then their commitment to protect and preserve the coconut trees on the islands will be useful. The difficult process of educating the public about the disease, as well as increase the level of awareness and concern, is a good start. Meanwhile, another coconut tree dies each passing day - leaving less a symbol of Hawaii for generations to come.
