WO2008072944A1

WO2008072944A1 - Treatment for the control of coconut palm lethal yellowing

Info

Publication number: WO2008072944A1
Application number: PCT/MX2007/000149
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seth Ramirez Romero
Original assignee: Seth Ramirez Romero
Priority date: 2006-12-11
Filing date: 2007-12-07
Publication date: 2008-06-19

Abstract

The invention relates to a compound or mixture formed by essential and non-essential nutrients diluted in water, which has the property of reversing the symptoms of coconut palm lethal yellowing for a year, acting curatively or preventively provided that it is applied in the early stage of the disease or the asymptomatic stage. This mixture is formulated as an injectable solution and comprises: NaCl- (NH2)2 CO- MgCl 2- K2 SO 4 - Zn SO 4 dissolved in water. This injection is an alternative and complementary option to that of replacement of varieties, which was the only method available until now for fighting this disease, since substances such as oxytetracycline and others have been rejected because of their high cost and other drawbacks.

Description

TREATMENT FOR THE CONTROL OF LETTER YELLOW OF LA PALMA DE COCO

BACKGROUND

Lethal yellowing presents as symptoms: yellowing of the leaves starting with the lower ones, which are hanging parallel to the stem. Premature fall of coconuts of any size, and necrosing of inflorescences. Yellowing advances to the upper leaves, killing the palm in about 4 to 6 months after the onset of the initial symptoms.

This disease is caused by a microbe known as "phytoplasma," which is transmitted by an insect commonly called "chicharrite" (Myndus crudus), which feeds on the palms and inoculates them.

At the beginning of the disease, an antibiotic was applied for some years: oxytetracycline (Harries Hugh C. 1990. Lethal Yellowing disease of coconut in Jamaica history, strategy & results. In: Robert Manuel L. and Zizumbo V. Daniel (comp .) The problem of lethal yellowing of coconut trees in Mexico CICY pp: 160-161). However, it was discarded because it was very expensive - it had to be applied every 4 months -, contaminate coconut water, and other inconveniences. Currently, this antibiotic is used very rarely.

Several attempts to chemically combat the disease have been made. Some with insecticides, fungicides, and / or nutrient mixtures. But they have not had the expected impact. This is the case of US patent 5234,892 of Dunaway Sr.

James K. dated 1993-08-10 (esp @ cenet datábase-Worldwide) consisting of a mixture of common fertilizers (N-P-K), insecticides, fungicides and minor elements.

Currently, this mixture is not on the market and it seems that the patent has been abandoned.

Since the chemical control has not been successful, the efforts of the specialists to fight the disease seem to be focusing on the substitution of varieties; or that is, expect susceptible palms to die and then replant with genetically tolerant varieties such as Malaysian dwarfs and dwarf crosses with Pacific highs, which have proven tolerant. But this implies a great loss, both economically for producers, and of genetic material, since the "high Atlantic" variety, which is very susceptible, can almost disappear, as in fact it is happening in large areas. The treatment presented below is intended to help solve this problem.

This treatment, unlike those already mentioned above, does not include insecticides, fungicides or pesticides of any kind, which makes it cheaper and non-polluting.

It does include nutrients but in a very different formulation, never before presented or registered, and the control period is longer than any other, as will be seen below.

DESCRIPTION

After years of testing, we have managed to establish a mixture of essential and non-essential nutrients (N-Na-K-Cl-Mg-S-Zn) dissolved in water, which injected in the form and the moment that we will describe below, It is able to stop the progression of the deadly disease and to save already infected palms.

THE FORMULA

Substance NaCl dose of 20 to 40 g.

(NH2) 2 CO of 5 to 10 g.

MgC12 from 5 to 10 g.

K2 SO4 from 2 to 5 g.

Zn SO4 from 2 to 5 g.

Dissolved in 1 liter of purified water

The formula can have an effect if the component substances are found in quantities within the ranges specified in the previous table. Higher concentrations are not recommended as they could damage palm tissues, nor lower ones, as they would have no effect.

The dose to inject is 30 to 60 ml. For sick palm. And it is applied as follows:

APPLICATION

The injection should be applied when the diseased plant has no more than 3 yellow leaves. There may be premature fall of coconuts, but there should be no necrotic inflorescences. In these cases, 70 to 90% of palms can be expected that can be saved by treatment.

If the palm has a higher degree of symptoms, it can be injected, but the effect will be less. The greater the degree of progress of the symptoms, the less control.

When the palm has yellow leaves at the middle level of the frond or at the upper level, it is no longer recommended to inject. The same when necrosed (black) inflorescences occur.

HOW TO APPLY

The best method we know to apply the treatment is the following:

A perforation is carried out on the palm stem, at a height that is comfortable for the operator. With a manual (berbiquí) or electric drill, preferably using a ¹ A inch drill bit. The perforation should have a sufficient inclination so that the liquid does not drain, (around 45 degrees), being careful to disinfect the drill after each injection. The latter can be done by sprinkling the drill (after cleaning it), with an alcohol solution of 70. Any atomizer is good for this. Then, with a syringe of 30 or 60 ml. (without needle), the nutritional mixture already described is introduced. It is simply deposited by actuating the plunger. Then, the hole is closed with wax. You can use beeswax or any other that does not drain and is not toxic.

In a few hours, the nutrient solution will be absorbed by the palm and the "greening" process will begin, which can be noticed in about 3 months, since previously the palm should throw away the affected leaves and emit new leaves.

This treatment can also be used as a preventative. That is, to vaccinate palms that still have no symptoms, but of which it is suspected they may already be infected. Here too, 70 to 90% control of cases can be expected.

PERIODICITY

This treatment should be repeated every year, since the microbe is not completely eradicated, and the symptoms may reappear. It is not recommended to inject in the same place, since a healing process has begun.

Do not forget to disinfect the drill after each injection or close the hole.

ADVANTAGES

The advantages of this treatment are evident: the cost is lower both for the type of materials used and because its application is annual. Additionally, it does not require special care (since it does not degrade with light or ambient heat), it does not contaminate, and its absorption is very fast. Advantages that do not have either oxytetracycline or mixtures of insecticides with fertilizers as mentioned in the background.

In addition, this treatment has the characteristic of nourishing the palm; in reality, it is a nutritious solution that at the same time fights the pathogen. So, even injecting a healthy palm, it benefits, not being able to damage it in any way or affect the quality or taste of the fruit. The fruit can be consumed with confidence after the palm is injected.

No side effects have been observed.

Until today, there was no known treatment that only with nutrients, without the use of antibiotics and / or pesticides, managed to stop the progression of the disease and save the palms. This is the novelty of the treatment, in addition to its simplicity.

ELABORATION AND HANDLING

NaCl: Common salt, can be obtained in any establishment. It has long been used as a fertilizer for palms.

(NH2) 2 CO: Urea, is widely found in the fertilizer market.

MgC12: Magnesium chloride, is also easily found, since it is a very common salt.

K2 SO4: Potassium sulfate, a fertilizer widely used in palms and therefore very easy to obtain.

Zn SO4: Zinc sulfate, is not a fertilizer just as common but very easy to get.

Following the formula, it is only necessary to mix these materials in 1 liter of water (purified recommended) in order to have the treatment ready to be injected in the manner already indicated.

This mixture can be kept for years stored in a cool and shady place, and it is not necessary to take special care in its handling or in the field, since it is not toxic and is very stable.

Claims

CLAIMS For all of the above, and given that this formula had not been described previously, in order to obtain the remission of symptoms, which saves the sick palms, and having described what it consists of, its background and area of application; the specific dose, manner and time of application; as well as the type of results to be expected; is that I claim as my exclusivity the invention consisting of:

1.- Composition that consists in diluting in a liter of drinking water, the following substances and in the amounts indicated below to combat the lethal yellowing of coconut palm:

NaCl: Common salt of 20 to 40 g. (NH2) 2 CO: Urea. from 5 to 10 g.

MgCl 2: Magnesium chloride from 5 to 10 g.

K2 SO4: Potassium sulfate from 2 to 5 g.

Zn SO 4: Zinc sulfate from 2 to 5 g.

2.- Method to control the lethal yellowing of the coconut palm using the composition of clause 1, which consists of drilling the palm stem with a manual or electric drill, preferably using a half inch disinfected drill bit. diameter. The perforation must have an inclination angle, preferably 45 degrees to prevent the liquid from draining and subsequently with a syringe, 30 to 60 ml is introduced, of the composition of clause 1 by actuating the plunger and finally the hole is closed using wax .