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OK for chemical to fight betel nut disease pending
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Posted on Feb 17 2005
By Marconi Calindas
Reporter
The Division on Environmental Quality has yet to receive any answer from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in San Francisco regarding the permit to use the fungicide needed to combat the spread of the fungus that is killing local betel nut trees.
According to agricultural consultant Isidoro T. Cabrera of the Northern Marianas College Cooperate Research, Extension and Education Service, they need to wait for the EPA go-signal before they can use Kocide 4.5LF to help stop the spread of the fungal disease.
“The permit is needed because the fungicide does not include betel nut for its application,” he said. “If we don’t get the permit then we cannot order the fungicide.”
Cabrera said, though, that there could be other alternatives but using this fungicide would be more effective.
Kocide 4.5LF fungicide is a registered control measure against the fungus when it hit Guam last year.
The Division of Agriculture is seeking the public’s assistance to save the population of the betel nut trees, which are being attacked by this fungus, causing the disease called the Betel Nut Bud Rot.
The fungus, Phytophthora meadii, has already killed over 150 betel nut trees on Saipan.
Division director Donald Flores said the community should be more vigilant in protecting the betel nut industry on Saipan. “If this continues it will certainly deplete the population of the betel nut,” he said.
“If they see the top portion [of a betel nut tree] is dying, they need to contact us,” Flores said.
He said people should take the initiative to cut the tree down and burn it.
The disease has already infected trees in an area in Papago and two areas on Capitol Hill. Cabrera found out about the spread last Friday while doing his regular survey around the island.
While waiting for the permit, Cabrera is looking for at least $5,000 that would be used to buy the fungicide. He said he went to the Saipan Local Delegation office yesterday to press them on this matter.
