CREES applies for use of chemical to combat the spread of betel nut fungus

The request for a special permit to use a fungicide that would prevent the spread of the betel nut fungus in the CNMI is now in the hands of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which will make the decision whether or not to allow the use of the chemical.

According to agricultural consultant Isidoro T. Cabrera of the Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Service, he applied for the permit yesterday morning with the Division on Environmental Quality, which would then send the request to EPA.

Cabrera believes EPA would approve the use of the fungicide known as Kocide 4.5LF, a registered control measure against the fungus when it struck Guam.

“There’s probably a good chance to get it,” Cabrera said. “I believe they won’t give us a hard time because if Guam can do it, then why not us. It’s just that we need to go through the right process.”

The fungicide was used on Guam after thousands of betel nut trees on the island’s southern region were infected with the Betel Nut Bud Rot Disease and died.

Cabrera said spraying the chemical would not affect surrounding plants or trees.

“It’s not highly toxic,” he said. “It’s not like insecticide, which is more dangerous because it contains more toxic material. Fungicide are also toxic for the fungus, but it’s very moderate and has low level toxicity.”

DEQ was not immediately available for comment yesterday.

Over 150 trees—over 100 in Papago and over 50 in Capitol Hill—are infected and are dying or dead because of the disease, which Cabrera believes resurfaced due to conducive weather last year—typhoon Tingting and Supertyphoon Chaba.

The fungus Phytophthora meadi produces microscopic spores that are easily blown around and dispersed in the wind and rain. It is carried to other neighboring trees and infects them.

Cabrera said he had also met with the Saipan Legislative Delegation, requesting an emergency appropriation of $5,000 to buy the equipment and chemical needed in preventing the spread of the disease.

“Once we secure the permit, then we can order the fungicide and get the equipment we need such as sprayers,” Cabrera said.

He reiterated, though, that there is no immediate rush to use the chemical, saying that the current dry season will make it unlikely for the disease to spread and infect other trees.

“We’re not in a hurry to do an emergency spray control,” he said. “We’re in the dry season and the weather is not conducive for further infestation…until we have high humidity and the rains in July and August. Those, and also the wind, are the necessary ingredients for the spores to spread. Right now, we just advise the farmers and growers.”

Cabrera stressed, though, that having the fungicide and other necessary equipment on hand is necessary to combat the disease and control it before it begins to spread when the weather changes.

“If it continues to spread, we need to use fungicide,” he said. “[But] we have sufficient time to prepare for the next rainy weather.”

Cabrera is planning to meet with the Division of Agriculture to discuss a possible joint effort in combating the disease.

Cabrera advises betel nut tree growers to contact the NMC CREES if they believe their trees are infected. “Call me so we can go there and verify if it is the disease or if it’s not.”

Symptoms of the fungal infection include lesions on the leaves, dead young leaves or deterioration of the green part of the plant at the base of the leaves. Once infected, a tree has no chance of survival. After a monthlong incubation stage on the newly infected tree, symptoms of the disease will then appear and the tree will die in about another month.

Cabrera said counterparts on Rota and Tinian will also be advised to be on the lookout for the disease. He does not know whether the disease is already present on those islands.

Cabrera discovered the spread of the disease last Friday while conducting a survey around the island. He will continue with the survey this week and next week as well to determine if other trees in other areas are infected.

Cabrera suggested that owners of infected trees cut the trees and burn them to prevent the disease from spreading.

Cabrera said the disease is the same one that wiped out close to 10,000 betel nut trees at the Fina Sisu and As Lito area in the 1990s.

Infected betel nut, however, would not harm humans who chew them.

Experts have yet to pinpoint the source of the disease, explaining that in the 90s, betel nut was imported from various locations, including Guam, Thailand, Taiwan, Palau, and Yap.

He said, though, that Taiwan trees were also infected by the disease in the early 90s, before the disease was discovered on Saipan.

For more information or to report an infected tree, contact Cabrera at 287-0571, Arnold Route at 287-0560, or call NMC-CREES at 234-5498 ext. 1727.