An Integrated Disease Management of Oil Palms Affected by Bud Rot Results in Shorter Recovery Times

Abstract

Bud rot is a limiting disease that affects most oil palm crops destroying thousands of hectares in Latin America. Bud rot (BR) is caused by the oomycete Phytophthora palmivora (Butler). Integrated disease management (IDM) technology has been used to control the disease, which slows down the progress of the disease, allowing palm recovery. However, the effect of this technology on the recovery speed of treated palms is not well known. We studied the time taken for palm recovery from BR under the integrated management approach. The study was carried out on 21 oil palm commercial cultivars dura × pisifera (D × P) and O × G hybrids affected by BR in the Colombian oil palm Central Zone. The analysis included different recovery times (RT), the severity degree, time of the year (wet or dry season), number of reinfections, and cultivar. The RT of bud rot-affected palms ranges from 103 to 315 days, with an average of 202.8 days when an IDM is used. RT was lower than that reported in the diseased palms without IDM (540 days). According to the severity degree, the RT lasted 202 days for severity degree 1, 198 days for severity degree 2, and 222 with severity degree 3 and 4. In comparison, there was no significant difference between dry and rainy seasons in RT. Differences between cultivars were found; however, under IDM, all cultivars showed low RT. The IDM has a positive impact in reducing the RT to BR. Low RT has indirect effects minimizing potential yield losses, improving the number of successfully recovered palms, and reducing the risk of disease dissemination.

Sustainable businesses development in post-conflict zones: a case in rural Colombia

“…Specifically, we consider the bud rot disease (BR), which is a major adverse factor for oil palm plantations in the Eastern Colombia since the 1980s. Although significant efforts have helped to reduce the disease spread and accelerate the tree recovery, it is not yet possible to fully avoid it (Tupaz-Vera et al. , 2021).…”

“…Specifically, we consider the bud rot disease (BR), which is a major adverse factor for oil palm plantations in the Eastern Colombia since the 1980s. Although significant efforts have helped to reduce the disease spread and accelerate the tree recovery, it is not yet possible to fully avoid it (Tupaz-Vera et al, 2021). Furthermore, the interviews revealed that the lack of adequate agronomic practices is predisposition factors of BR, particularly the absence of adequate drainage.…”

Infection of Phytophthora palmivora Isolates on Arabidopsis thaliana

“…In addition to the different agricultural and biological alternatives to mitigate P. palmivora infections in oil palm [6,7], studying the interaction between plants and pathogens provides a comprehensive overview of the defense mechanisms of the plant and pathogen infection. This knowledge can help to develop durable, effective, and environmentally friendly strategies [8].…”