‘Too late to eradicate’

The deadly fungus that has killed thousands of betel nut trees on Saipan has now spread to such an extent that it may already be too late for an eradication campaign, according to a report released by an expert who visited the island to inspect the spread of the disease.

In a three-page report, plant pathologist Dr. George Wall from the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Guam, said the spread of the fungi has reached a stage where it may no longer be extinguished before it spreads further and kills more trees.

He said a disease management approach based on various components might be more practical than to find ways to kill the fungi, scientifically known as Phytophthora meadii. The disease itself is commonly known as bud rot disease.

Wall visited Saipan last March 3 and 4 to survey the island as to the extent of the outbreak of the disease. Based on the last report, the fungi has now spread to San Vicente, Tanapag, Papago, Capitol Hill, As Lito, Fina Sisu, and Donne.

He said time is too short, now that the rainy season is at hand, which will likely cause the additional spread of the bud rot disease.

“Most infected trees will die,” he said. “This disease is serious because it progresses so quickly, both in individual infections and in its mode of spread to other trees.”

Wall said that, to stop the spread of the fungi, trees must be destroyed by cutting and burning them down as soon as possible to prevent the spread of spores into the air and into the soil.

All surviving trees should be injected with foshphite or agri-fos to protect them from becoming infected and to help them ward off infection, said Wall.

Isidoro Cabrera, an agricultural consultant at the Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research Extension and Education Service, said yesterday that the college has not received any feedback yet from the Division of Environmental Quality about its approval to use the chemicals.

Wall also said agricultural agencies on Saipan must start a sanitation campaign to reduce the risk of moving equipment and soil from infected groves or plantation going to non-infected ones.

As he had mentioned earlier, Wall said the harvested betel nuts from the infected groves must be dipped in 10 percent bleach solution and rinsed in water before selling them in the market.

Wall added that a public awareness campaign must be conducted to educate the public about the symptoms of bud rot, its consequences, and ways to prevent its spread. He also advised against carrying nuts from infected areas when traveling.

Islands not affected by the disease should be protected from other islands through proper quarantine regulations like dipping shoes for travelers who come from farms a few days before traveling, he said.

As for the chemicals needed to combat the disease, Wall said that permission must be obtained from authorities.

For the awareness campaign, several brochures must be prepared to educate the public, and the growers in particular. Brochures must contain pointers on injecting trees and on sanitation procedures.

He admitted that his prognosis is somewhat alarming but he expressed belief that there are still plenty of ways to combat the disease. He compared the plight of the betel nut industry on Saipan to Guam eight years ago, but he said Guam then did not have the injection to treat trees, or the diagnostic kits to confirm the disease-causing fungi.

Cabrera yesterday called the attention of growers whose plantation might have contracted the disease to contact him at 287-0571 for advice on containing the further outbreak of the disease.