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LTC 216-2009 Lethal Yellowing Disease of Palms~~. _ - `~1 m MIAMI BEACH ~°°-~~~- ~ ~ ~~~~~~ h~~, OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER NO. LTC# zle-loos LETTER TO COMMISSION TO: Mayor Matti H. Bower and Members of the City Commission FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager DATE: August 7, 2009 SUBJECT: Lethal Yellowing Disease of Palms This Letter to Commission is to inform you that Lethal Yellowing, a serious disease of palms, has been identified in Miami Beach. In mid-June it was observed that a number of coconut palms on the Julia Tuttle Causeway were exhibiting symptoms consistent with this disease. Removal of affected palms was started, and tissue samples were sent to the University of Florida diagnostic lab in Fort Lauderdale for analysis and verification. Lab reports have now verified that two of the palms tested for Lethal Yellowing were infected with this disease (see attachment).The Miami-Dade County EMension Service reports that incidents of Lethal Yellowing have recently been identified-throughout the county, with the Homestead area being especially affected. Lethal Yellowing is best known for killing coconut palms, but over thirty palm species are susceptible to this disease. During the 1970s, Lethal Yellowing killed most of the Jamaican Tall Coconuts in southern Florida. The disease is caused by a bacteria-like organism, known as a phytoplasma, and is spread by a planthopper insect, which is common in southern Florida. Efforts to control the spread of Lethal Yellowing by suppressing leafhopper populations have proven ineffective. The only chemical treatment for this disease is with injections of the antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC). The OTC does not necessarily kill the phytoplasma, but simply reduces the phytoplasma population to anon-harmful level, so the palm can resume normal growth. As a preventative, injections of OTC might provide uninfected palms with some protection from Lethal Yellowing. However, injections must be repeated every four months. If injections are stopped, uninfected palms might become infected, and in infected palms the phytoplasma population may increase again orthe palm may be re-infected. There is no definitive answer regarding how long injections must continue. The recommended long-term response to Lethal Yellowing is the use of palm species with resistance to the disease. For this reason, city contracts have specified the use of coconut cultivars, such as Maypan and Malayan Dwarf, which were initially believed to have acceptable levels of Lethal Yellowing resistance. However, as research on Lethal Yellowing has continued, the long-term resistance of these cultivars is now in doubt. At some localized South Florida locations these cultivars have experienced mortality rates as high as 83%. The native sabal palmetto offered an alternative to coconuts, but this species may now beat risk from a similar phytoplasma disease, Texas Phoenix Palm Decline (TPPD). This disease has been identified on Florida's west coast, but so far no cases have been documented in southeastern Florida. Various date palm species are also severely affected by TPPD. The best defense against species-specific diseases such as these is to plant a variety of species so that some will survive a disease outbreak. At present we do not know if Lethal Yellowing disease will remain localized or if it will reemerge as a major killer of palms in the Miami Beach area. This disease tends to go through periods of decline and periods of outbreak. It has been present in South Florida ever since the severe outbreak in the 1970s, but subsequent occurrences have been localized rather than widespread and severe. The identification of Lethal Yellowing on the Julia Tuttle Causeway may signal the reemergence of the disease in our area or it might be a minor, localized problem; only time and monitoring of the problem will ultimately provide us the answer. The recommended course of action at this point is to closely monitor the situation and promptly remove palms which exhibit symptoms of Lethal Yellowing. The Greenspace Management Division has already implemented these actions, and as of the end of July, has removed 12 coconut palms which exhibited Lethal Yellowing symptoms from the Julia Tuttle Causeway. Sabal palms and date palms will also be closely monitored for symptoms of TPPD, even though this disease has not yet been identified in Southeast Florida. The presence of Lethal Yellowing and the possibility that TPPD may affect our area in the future should be considered before purchasing susceptible high-cost palms, such as Canary Date Palms. If Lethal Yellowing begins to spread throughout the city, it would be prudent to stop the planting of susceptible palm species, including all cultivars of coconut palm. We do not recommend OTC injections at this time, but if the disease outbreak becomes serious, susceptible palms with high value or in highly visible locations might be protected by injections. However, these injections would need to continue for an indefinite period of time. and there would be no guarantee that the palms would remain uninfected after the injections were stopped. Repeated injections would leave a number of permanent small holes in the palms trunks. Examples of the number of coconut palms in several highly visible locations are given below: Julia Tuttle Causeway -840 Lummus Park and Ocean Drive - 1000+ Palm Island - 73 5~" Street - 73 Washington Avenue -423 North Beach Bandshell and Senior Center area - 230 Allison Park - 130 Miami Beach has thousands upon thousands of coconut palms, date palms and other susceptible species on public and private properties, so it is not feasible to inject all susceptible palms within the city limits. The cost of OTC injections would be approximately $10 per palm per treatment, but the cost would vary according to the size of the palm. We will keep the Commission informed as additional information becomes available. JMG/HMF/KS/CL Pace 1 of 3 From: McFadden, Millie Sent: Thursday. July 16. ?009 11:08 .A~d To: Smith, Kevin: Oldenburg, John: Latt, Christopher; Gracie, Rhonda; ~-tacias, Domingo Cc: t3rown, Lavoris; Nev~ton, Lugene; Mulcalt}°, Robert Subject: P1~1: Trunk tissue ;ampler Please see results from LY testing below. As Dr. Elliott Suggests there may be LY in some of [he trees that tested negative but phytoptasma too low to detect. Apparently the Phoenix canariensis (sample #1) was tested for Texas Phoenix Palm Decline but not LY. This Date is right next to the Coconut that is sample #2 and while this palm tested negative for LY it is certainly showing symptoms. You can view photos of each of the trees tested by clicking on the link below. F:lrcpal$ALLIGREENSPACEIIanscpe ops1LY Sampling 09 MIAMIBEACH Millie McFadden, Parks Superintendent Parks antl Recreation Department Greenspace Manayernent Division 2100 Washington Ave Miami beach. FI 33139 TeC 305-673-7720. Fax. 305.673-7392 t www,miamibeach0.yov Wa are committed to Aro•~Mrng exceNerf puDSC service arrC sa%ety to s!. »~nc Lve, vbdr and Alay m our v/brart. A'oF~tr( hrgtonc communey From: Elliott, Monica L. (mailto:melliott@ufl.edu] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 9:49 AM To: Helmick,Ericka E; McFadden, Millie Subject: RE: Trunk tissue samples Hi Millie, I will have the invoice sent to your attention at the address/fax number give below. The cost is $75 per sample for all, except the Sabal palms, which we are currently doing for free. I will send a formal letter to your attention with the information that Ericka supplied below. Regarding the negative results. a negative result has two interpretations. First, it may be a true negative -the palm is not infected with a palm phytoptasma. Second, it may be a false negative -the palm is infected with the phytoptasma but the amount of phytoptasma is too low to be detected at this point of time. The latter occurs when the disease is in the very early stages of development. So, the negative results should be considered along with the disease symptoms observed when making a management decision. Regarding the Texas Phoenix palm decline phytoptasma, it has not been detected on the southeast Florida coast. Thus far, all Phoenix samples that have tested positive for palm phytoptasma have been Lethal Yellowing. I think the most likely scenario for TPPD in Miami-Dade County, especially for the City of Miami Beach, will be movement into the area of already infected palms. Thus, unless the Phoenix palm is a new planting (last 2 years), it will most likely still be Lethal Yellowing. For sabal palms, they are not affected by LY, so again, unless it is a new planting (last 2 years), it is not likely that symptoms observed would be due to a phytoptasma. Cheers, Monica file :'iC:'•.llocuments and Settingstcmgrhala`•.Local Settings`•.Temporarv lntcrnct FileslOLK... 08,•'07%2009 Page 2 of3 Monica Elliott University of Florida - IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center 954-577-6315 melliott@ufl.edu -----Original Message----- From: HELMICK,ERICKA E [mailto:ehelmick@ufl.edu] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 9:23 AM To: McFadden. Millie Cc: Elliott. Monica L. Subject: Re: Trunk tissue samples Hi Millie, I just completed the initial testing on all 7 of your samples and all but two are negative for phytoplasma, the following list corresponds to your sample numbers: 1 -Canary Island Date -negative -Meridian golf course swage. Negative for TPPr. Nearly dead. suspect LY 2 -Coconut palm -negative -Meridian golf course swage. Symptomatic 3 -Indian creek/Abbott (assuming it's a coconut palm) -negative 4 -Coconut palm -Negative -Tuttle. Minor symptoms 5 - Sabal palm -Negative -severe chlorosis eventy dispersed throughout canopy 6 -Coconut palm -POSITIVE -Tuttle Severe symptoms 7 -Coconut palm -POSITIVE Tuttle Severe symptoms I updated Monica Elliott regarding these results and am forwarding this information to her also. I don't take care of the invoicing. but I am sure that Monica will know the appropriate person to get the information too. Let me know if you have anymore questions Thanks. Ericka On Wed Jul 15 08:29:29 EDT 2009, "McFadden, Millie" <MillieMcFadden@miamibeachfl.gov> wrote: > Good Morning Ms Helmick; > Early last week a member of our staff dropped off seven of > the > subject samples to your lab requesting analysis be done to > determine the > presence of disease. Can you tell me when we may expect results > from > this analysis? We suspect lethal yellowing but need to confirm > so > proper corrective action can be undertaken. Also, if you would > kindly > send mean invoice for payment for the testing. I would like to Zile ::4'C:'•.I)ocumcnts and Settings'•.cmgrhala`•.Local Settings`•.Temporary Internet Files`•.OLK... OS.%07?2009 Pagc 3 of 3 > get the > invoice submitted as a request for a PO so we can remit payment >ina > timely manner. My fax number is (786) 394-5424 or you can send > it as an > email attachment if you prefer. If you need to reach me by > telephone > please call my cell at (786) 299-6960. Your assistance is most > appreciated. > Thank you! > Millie McFadden > MIAMIBEACH Millie McFadden, Parks Superintendent Parks and > Recreation Department > Greenspace Management Division > 2100 Washington Ave > Miami beach, FI 33139 > Tel: 305-673-7720 /Fax: 305-673-7392 / www.miamibeachfl.gov > <http://www.miamibeachfl.gov/> We are committed to providing > excellent public service and safety to all > who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic > community. HELMICK,ERICKA E file:%iC:'•Documents and Scttings~.cmgrhala'•.Local Settings~.Temporar? Internet I'ilcs',OLK... 08?07:'?009 OF I FLORIDA IFAS Extension PP-222 Lethal Yellowing (LY) of Palm Nigel A. Harrison and Monica L. Elliottz Introduction Lethal yellowing (LY) is a palm disease prevalem in Florida landscapes in the southern one-third of the state. In 2UU7, the disease was obscnc(I in Sarasota and \4anatcc Counties on the west vast of Florida, counties where it had not hwn observed previously. LY is also observed hi field nurseries. Phis disease has significantly n:duced the number of tall-type Cocos nrfcileru (coconut) in Florida and the Cariblx:an Bain, and Icealized outbreaks continue to occur. Pathogen and Hosts LY is caused by a phytupl;tsma. an unculturablc cell wall-less b:u;terium. The phyttplasma has been classified as a member of group 1 GS rI)NA KFI,P group 16SrIV, subgroup A (16SrlV :4 j. The proposod name for the pathogen is'Candidurtrs phytoplasma palmac'. It is spread by the planthopper 1lvnduc c•ruduc, a common planthopper in southern Florida. The phytoplasra is a systemic pathogen that is fixlnd only in the phloem tissue (vacular tissue transporting carbohydrates) of palms. It is not known [o sun ive outside either its plan) ur insect hosts. The planthoppcr is a piercing and sucking insect, meaning' it feeds on the contents of the plant host vascuhtr syswm, includhtg the phloem. 't'he insect move, the phytoplasma 1-rrnn palm to palm as it moves during it, feeding cycles. l.'ntil recently, the gco;;raphic range o1-LY in Florida was limited to the subtropical southern one-third of the state because the planthoppcr alvndtcs crudus is not cold hardy- 'I'hc roccnt spread of the disease beyond its historic range in Plorids may be a consequence of mild winters during the last decade, allowing at)+ufaus crudus ro spread further north. At Icat i6 paten species have bccn documented with LY (Table I ). Another paten disease caused by a phytoplasma that is similar to, but geuetically distinct from, the L1' phytoplasma was observed in 2UU7 ott Phoenix crnrarie:+zsis, P. d~xt~li/eru an(t P. sylvestrrs growing in the south-central coastal region of west Florida I. This dx.mren: [s PR22?, one of a scri. ni the Ptct Rrholu~~)• Ue~lamen: h'lorida ('nnpc:ative Cs:emion Service, Insrimm of Frnri aed :1gri:ultcral Sciences. Unisrorsily of Flxi tv. Origical pubhc;tcun ealr (X,u~ber 7(1n,5. ReriseA Augus: 2W'. Recsed Augia ?n(?9. Vai: dte LUIS l\~e6 Sue at htyv: ~ cdis. ifxcuttcdu, ?. \iycl ;\, I lacrisutt, aswc:aw pmtesso6 Dolwnmar uC Plant Patholaa; htoaica L. Flliou, proieswr. Ueparttrcrt, f Plan: PattmWgy, Fun Lcudrrdalc Itaeash and fx:watimt (:una-Ft. Lauderdale. Il: Florida C~+ptta:iv. Rxtcnsiou Srrvicr. Insirale nY FonS sad :\C~ iculwrG S:irn:es, Unicerciw or Floride. Gainesv illq FL. ~ ' 1'hr use of trade names in this publication u wkly for the purpose of proviAinl; xpccaic iofurmatiun. OF:IFAS Arses nnl euuramcc ur warrxnh the product nameA, anA refereneae to Ihem in this puAlicatinn does nM signify our npprw•al to Mc exclusion of other proAucb of suilxbic eumprakinn. .411 chentieals shnnlA be used in att'urdxnec with directions mt the manufaclun•r's label. Tha Inrtitute of Food and Agncultural Sciences ItFAS) is an Equal ODDOrtuniry Insmution authorized to provitle reuarch. etlucatlonal Information and other urvlces only to indivitluals and institutions that Nnelbn with nondiscrimination wiN respett to vace, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, xezual orismagon, marital sbtus, nadonal origin, polaical opinions or affiliations. U. S. Department or Agriculture. Coolrerative Extension Service. University of FloAda, IFAS, Florida A. 8 M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millio Foner, Interim Dean. Lethal Yellowing (LY) of Palm 2 (Sarasota to Tarnpa). '1'hc symptoms and management of [his disease, called Texas Phoenix Decline, on Phae+dt' species appear to be the samo as those for LY. Symptoms As with any disease. diagnosis is based on a series of s~mtptoms. Furthermore, no single symptom is diagnostic of I.Y. Rather, it is the appearance and chronological progression of symptoms that accurately identifies the disease. The difliculty with I .Y diagnosis is that symptoms .aq according to the paten species. and in the case of•coconuts, the particular cultit•ar imolvai. Fruit drop and flower necrosis Che first obvious symptom on maturz palms ([hose able Io produce fruit) is a premature drop of most or all fruits. Fur coconuts, the calyx (stern) end of the tnrit will usually have a brown to black, water-soaked appearance (Figure I ). txcxt, inflorescence (flowery necrosis (death] de.elops. Vornially lieht yellow m ercarny while in color. emerging flower spikelets are instead partially or totally blackened. M19alc Iluwcrs abscise from florecr spikelets and no fruit is set. Thcsc symptoms will only be observed if the palm is flowering or fruiting when the disease develops. forming a skirt around the trunk for several weeks before falling (Figure ~). ~~ •~< " " }e ~, -.. r„ Boron deYlciency in coconut will also cause premature nut drop. However, nuts dropped floc w boron deficiency will nut have the discolored, water-soaked appearance at the calyx (stem) end of the nut (Finurc 1 }. Foliage discoloration Por tall-type coconut cultivars, the next symptom is a yellowing of the foliage. bcgining with the lowest (oldest) leaves and progressing upward thratgh dte crown (Figure 2). In some cases, this symptom is seen as a solitary, yellowed leaf ("flag leaf') in the middle of the leaf canopy (Figure 3). Typically, yellowed leaves remain turgid, but cvennudly turn brown, desiccate and hang down Figure 1. Fruits that prematurely dropped from Cocos nucifera due to Lethal Yellowing. Note dark, water-soaked calyx (stem) end. Credits: N.A. Harrison Figure 2. Foliar yellowing symptoms of Cocos nucilera due to Lethal Yellowing. Credits: N.A. Harrison Lethal Yellowing (LY'i of Palm 3 .f y ~* ~' ~a ~,.. Yi I IlWr.ri-.~.~.. .. I . ~ _ I .Il.r..... Figure 3. 'Jamaica Tall' Cocos nudfera on lek is ezhloitinc~ Lethal Yellowing symptoms of solitary, yellowed Leaf j-flag leaf) in middle of canopy plus deco leaves hanging down around trunk. Credits: T.K. Broschat Foliar disculuruion varies markedl}• among coconut cultivars and other palm genera. For most tall-type coconut cultivars, leaves ntrn a golden yellow bclitrc dying, while un dwttrfcultivars, leaves generally ntrn a reddish to grayish-brown (Figures 4 and ~). Lrttlets on the t,~recn form of the 'hfalayvt Dwarf cultivar may be folded around the ntidvein. Af)ectcd leaves appear noticeably tlaccid rather than turgid, giving an ovcr<tll w•ii[ed appearance to [hc palm canopy (Figure 4), but this is not a consistent symptom. Foliar ycllow•ing develops on such species as Gx)yata »7itis (clustering fishtail palm) (Figure 6), C. r'[U77p17JCf7ra (FlgnYe ?), Chcrl}•ocarpzrs chnc•n, C'o);tphu elate, Dicn•acperrnrurr alh7rnr (hurricane or princess paint}, flunphnrhe rersclrc?JJcltii (spindle palrtt) (Figure ti), Livistona chi)aensfs (Chinese fan paint) (Figure 9), Pritchardia spp., and 7rachrccrrpur Jbrtrrnei (windmill palm). For other palm species, such as .~ldunidia merrilUi (Christmas paint), llarucsJa Jkrhellijer (Palmyra paten) (Figure ll)), L?spsis rleca)yi (Triangle pslm) (Figure 1 I ), Phneni.r spp. (Canary Island data paten, elate palrtt, wild date palm) (Figures 12, 13 c@ 141, and Veitc•hia arecina (D4ontgorncry paint), successively younger leavestum varying shade, of reddish-brown to dark brown or grty rather than a distinctive vdlow. Death of ffic apical meristem (bud) As foliage discoloration advances up throtrh the crown (canopy), the spear proungest) leaf collapses and hangs down in the crown. This indicates the apical nteristcm (bud or growing poutt of the paten) has died. For most. palm species, including cocunuh, death of the apical meristem usually occurs w•hcn one-halt to two-thirds of the cro+an has become yellow or brown. However, for Phoe))i.r species and Sorusa'u,.Jlabellijer. spear leaf collapse and death of the apical meristem occurs when one-third ur Icss of the crown has become discolored (Figure I5). For -fdo)7idkr and Feirchia. the spear is usually unaffected until niter all other leaves have died. Figure 4. Green form of'Malayan DwarF Cocos nucifera with Lethal Yellowing exhibiting tliscoloralion of leaves (grayish-brown rather than yellow) antl overall wilted appearance. Credits', N.A. Harcison Lethal Yellowing (LY) of Palm 4 Figure 6. Foliar yellowing symptoms of Lethal Yellowing ~~~i~;•'~~,~~i on Caryota mitis. Cretlits: N.A. Harrison - a Hvcnhndly, tha entire crown of the palm withers Figure ti. Foliar ,elovring sy mp:orne at Lethal Yruo~wing and topples, leaving a bare trunk standutg (Figure 16). on Hyophorbe verschaNeltii. Credits: N.A. Harrison Infected patens usually die within + to 5 months aflcr the fir.,t appearance of symptoms. Figure 5.'Maypan' Cocos nucilera with Lethal Yellowing exhibiting discoloration of leaves (grayish-brown rather than yellow). Credits: N.A. Hamson Figure 7. Foliar yellowing symptoms of Lethal Yellowing on Caryota rumphiana. Credits: N.A. Harrison Diagnosis Disease Management The plant symptoms described above arc relied Chemical control of Ll' is achieved by upon w make the initial diagnosis. Since the application of the antibiotic oxytetracyclinc IICI phytoplasma is not culuuablc, a molecular diagnostic (ollcn referred to as OTC. j adrninisterrd a) patens by test is used to conlirnt the. presence of the pathogen. liquid injccflon into the trtutk. Thcrc is currently only If pathogen confirrnation is necessary, contact your one source of this CP.~t-registered product (Tree lOCal COLLnIy EXrenstott 0(rl'C Or the FlOflda - SHVCi~1V~, and it is lur distribution anti rise ouly in Extension Plant Disease Clinic for int orrnation on l~lorida. Please read and follow label directions. "I'he sample submission and cost of laboratory diagnosis. web site for the company provides helpful hints for successful use of this product. As a therapeutic measure, systeutic trestment on a 4-nxrnth treatment schedule should begin as early ut Lethal Yellowing (LY) oT Palm 6 symptom expression ;ts possible. Symptomatic palms with ~-~25°io discolored leaves should be remo~•ed, since they arc unlikely to resfxmd to U7C treatment. For susceptible Phoenix species. if the apical meristem (bud) is already dead, the palm will not respond to UTC treamtcnt. fhc :mtibiotic can also be used preventively to protect palms when LY is known to occur in the area. I'hc amount recommended depends on the size of the treated pabn. Always follow directions for use un the label. Figure 16. Death of Cocos nucflera apical meristem {bud) from Lethal Yellowing causes crown to wither and topple from trunk. Credits: N. A. Harrison The one question often asked regarding O'fC injections coucems the length of time one must continue to inject. Unfortmtately, there i. no definitive answer. The antibiotic dues not necessarily kill the phytoplasma but simply reduces or .oppresses the phytoplasma population in the paint [o a Icvcl that is no longer hannfid, allowing resumption of normal growth of the paint. I f injections arc stopped, it is possible the phywphtcma will begin to increase once again and symptoms will rcappru on the pabn. Alternatively, if the disease is still active ut the arc:,, the unprotected paint could he re-infected ++•ith the phytoplasma. Figure 15. Collapsed spear leaf of Phoenix syfvesfris is hanging down from crown (see arrow). Once this spear lea( breaks off or falls from the crown, it is not readily apparent that the apical meristem (butl) has died. Credits: N. A. Harrison Lethal Yellowing (LY) of Palm ~ Disc;tse management via control of planthopper populations is insufficient tojustil'y repeated inscclicide appliattivns in landscapes. Planthoppers tree flying insects, and they also can be blown around by wind. lac of host palm resislancc represcnu the most practical Ivng-term solution for I.Y control. Ctx;onut cultivars, such as Ihc'Malapan Dwarf or hybrid T9aypan' (Malayan Ihvttrfx Panama Tall}, have exhibited acceptable levels ofresistance in most areas, llowevcr, recent reports of LY losses in 'Malayan Dwarf and'4laypan' ol'7U% and 834%,, respectively, at localized sites in southeastern Florida and 95-99io for these cultivars in Jamaica cast doubt on the long-term resisatnce of these cultivars. Many palm species arc apparent non-hosts of LY and so provide important alternative choices for ornamcnud landscape plamtings. '1'v date, LY htts not been reported on most palm species native to Florida or regions of the Caribbean Basin where [.1' has been active. 'I hese include SrrGal palmetto (cabbage palm), K~t'sroneu r-e,~<ia (royal palm), ,lcoelur-raphe rrrighlii (Patuoti or Everglades palm), attd 7Yrrir+ar species (thatch palms). Selected References Broschat,'F. K, V. A. Harrison, and H. Donselman. 2002. Ltsscs to lethal yellowing cast doubt on coconut cultivar resis[ance. Palms 46: l8 ~- 18y. llvrison, N. A., 1. Cordova, P. Richardson, and K. DiBonito. 1999, Detcction:md diagnosis of lethal yellowing. Yagcs 183-196 in: Current Ad~~wces in Coconut Biotechnology. C. Oropcra, J. L. Vcrdcil, G. R. Ashbutner. R. Gardena, and J. \I. Santatnaria, a1s. Khnver Acadcrnic Publishers, Dordrecht The Netherlands. Harrison, N. A., and P. Joues. 20f)4. Lethal yellowing. Pages 39-4I in: Compendium of Ornamental Palm Discsses and Disorders. ~I. L. Elliou,'I'. K. Broschat, .I. Y. tichida, and G. \ti'. Simone, eds. American Phytopatholagical Society, St Paul, ~[K. Howard, P. \~I'. 1992. Lethal yellowing saceptibiliq~ of date palm, in Florida. Principes 36:21' 222. Howard, P. \V., R. C. Not-ris. and D. L. Thomas. 1983. Evidence of transmission of palm lethal ycllow•ing agent by a plan[hopper, :LI)vrd+rs cradus IHomopter;t, Cixiidac). Tropical Agriculture, Trinidad. 60:168-171. McCvy. R. L. 19?$. GiTccl of oxytctracycline dose and stage of discttse devclupment on remission of lethal yellowing in etx;onut palm. Plant Disease ~9:?1?-720. bicC'oy, R. E. 1982. Use of tctr;tcyclinc antibiotics Iv control ycllow•s diseases. Plain Disaese G6:539-5~2. Lethal Yellowing {LY) of Palm 8 Table t. Palm species susceptible to Lethal Yellowing (LY) disease. Adonidia memillii Dictyosperma atbum Phoenix dactylifera Aiphanes lindeniana Dypsis cabadae Phoenix rec/inata A/!a o tera arenaria Dypsis decaryi Phoenix nrpicofa Arenga en Pori Gaussia attenuata Phoenix s lvestris Borassus Rabelfifer Howea befmoreana Pritchardia affinis Caryota mitis Howea forsteriana PiitchaMia pacilica Caryota rumphiana Hyophorbe verschaHcltii Pritchaniia romota Chef ocar us chute Latania fontaroides Pritchardia thurstonii Cocos nucifera Livistona chinensis Ravenea hildobrantii Co ha taliera Livistona rotundifolia S a nrs schizoph la Crysophiia warsecewiczii Nannorrhops ntchiana Trach carpus lortunei Cyphophoenix notate Phoenix canariensis Veitchia arecina PP243 OF I FLORIDA IFAS Extension Texas Phoenix Palm Decline Nigel A. Harrison and Monica L. Elliott2 Figure 1. Premature fruit drop is an early symptom of TPPD. Virtually all the fruit drops at one time from the affected tree. Summary l'cx,ts Phoenix palm decline ('I'PYD) is a new disease in Florida. Phis disease is caused by an unculttuablc bacterium that has no cell wall -- phytoplasma. The TPPD ph}2oplasma is similar w, but genetically +listinct from the ph}•toplasma that causes lethal yellowing (LSD disease of patens. • l'cxtls Phoenix paint decline is a fatal, systemic discac that kills patens quicklp.'I'he TPPD phvtoplasnnt is spread naturalh• w paints by sap-Yeeding insects, such as planthoppcrs. • Palmi sho++ing symptoms of more than , j percent fi)liar discoloration or a dead spear leaf due to the discac should be removed innnctliacely. • Dlvtaocmcnt of TPPD includes protection of susceptible palms in disease-active areas by • trunk injection with oxytcu-acyciine HCI (OTC) every four months and • planting palm specie. that ue not known to contract this disease. • As of February 2(1fI9, paten species known to be most severely afYcctrxl by TPPD were Phoenix ccrnarieruis (Canary Island date palm), Phoenix c/iret~-li/ia•a (edible date paint), Phuevei.\ s~~lvestric (wild date palm) and Sulu! pulntefto (cabhago pal rn ). i.'fhis doonnlr:n is Pp24?, rnrc oLt series orihe PIaN purhulobry' Depsrbrcut. hlenda Ca+pora:isr I:xlenyion Scrvieu. Inytirulc of Fond :old ;\a'icuLural Suirnca. Cnrve: s-ty ul Florida. origins: pubtira:ion dxlc, Nm•rmhr 2lR)`_ Revised FeFmury 211[W. Vi£l il:r GllIS weh ;ilr :n hup:::edis.ifaa::l eilu. 2. x:gcl A. Hmriyun. aueciam nrotcaarr, ar.J Nbnica L. R'.:[uu, prutessar, f~anunrnl of F'iarr Pa@iu:uo~•. Lort Lsudcrd:de Itrxarct std F.{urilion f'enu:r -I~I. Laaderdale, FL: Flon:h: CboparsCve Pslrnswr. Set~'ice. Ic;Gm:e of I'cwd and A~rcu.m::d 5.:aamcs. Lniacvly ul FWrida. The use of trade names in thle publiatliun is sulelr for the. purpose of prmidiog specific infnnnalion. l'i++IF.1ti does not vunranlcc or warrant} the products narmd, and references lu Ihrm in this puhliodiun dues mt si);niQ our approval to the exclusion of other prahrcls ul'suitahle ennrywyilioa. :\II chemiads should he useA in nrcurdanec with Airrrlions un the manul'aclun•r's lapel. The Instl[ule W Footl and Agrlcullunl Sciences (IFAS) is an Epual ODPOrtunity Institution authorlud to provide reseamh. etlucstional information and oUmr services only to Intlivitluals and Inslltutions ttwt function with nomdiacdmination witn respect to race, creetl, coloy religion, age, tllsabilily, sax, sexual orlenfation, marital status, national origin, polltlcal opinions or affiliatbns. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension service. Unlversky of Florida, IFAS, Floritla A. d M. Unlvereily Cooperative Extension Program, and Boartls of County Commissbrsen Cooperating. Intenm Dean Millie Ferrer. Texas Phoenix Palm Decline 2 Introduction L:nGI reccntl}•, lethal yellowing (LY) was the Dote palm disc:tse in Florida caused by a phytoplasma. In late 2000, a second phytoplasma disease was identified in the coastal areas of Central Florida (from Sarasota to Tampa), affecting Phoenix (date) species. In early 2008, this second phytoplasma ctiscase was conftrmed a rho cause of declining Sabel pahrretto (cabbage paint) in Hillsborough :md ~[anatcc counties. T'hc disease is known as Texas Phoenix palm decline because it was originally described in the southern coastal region of Texas on Phoenix cu+un•iensis (Canary Island date palm). Pathogen and Hosts "I'cxas Phoenix pahtt decline is caused by a phytopl;rana, vt unculhrrable bacterium that has no cell wall..arnong phytoplasmas, the TPPD agent has been classified as a member of IGS rDNA RI~LP group I GSr1 V, subgroup D (16SrIV-I)). The signature DKA sequence obtained from'IPPD phytupl:uma in Florida is a perfect match to the signature of the phytoplasma known to causc'l'PPD on R canarlcrx+is (C'anary Island date paten) in the Corpus Christi area of'fexas.:•~nalysis of llNA has determined the TPPD phytoplasma is related to, but gcnctically distinct from the phytoplasma that causes I,Y. Phytoplasntas systemically colonize the phloem tissue (vascular tissue transporting phoatsynthatcs) of plant.;. Phytoplasntas arc tmnsmittcd to plants by piercing-sucking insects that feed on phloem sap. The insects spread the phytoplasma from plant to plain a~c then visit different hosts during dheir feeding activities. Phytophtsnt:u are not knuwu to survive outside their host, whether [he host is plan[ or insect. Planthoppers, trcchoppers or psyllids are rite most-likely groups of insects to u•ansrnit phytoplasm:ts. h is not known a°hcn thc'fPPD ph}•tuplasma arrived in Florida, but amsidcrtble time would have been ncccss•tty for both the pa[hogen :md the vector populations [o establish and for TPPD disease incidence to increase to its present Icvel in Florida. I'hc presence of TPPD phytoplasma has been conlinnui in Florida in symptormttic P. currm•iensls (Canary Island date paint), P dactvlileru (edible date paint) or P. sPlvesrris (wild date palm) in landscape and field nursery sites in the I'ollow•ing counties: highlands, Lake, Sarasota, y4analcc, Pinellas, :md Hillsborough, as will as in western portions of Polk County. The TPPD phytoplasma has been must recently dctc;cted in Sahel palnreun (cabbage palm) in landscapes and nahu•al amts in [lilhhorottglt, ~lanatec, Sarastoa, Polk, llcSoto and Hardee counties. I Iowcvcr, in 2008 the printery concentration of diseased cabbage pahtts in Florida was in southern Hillsborough County and in Manatcc Counh•. map illustrating sites in Florida where dte disease has been atnfinned can M: found on the Florida Division of Plan[ ]ndasuy Web site, http: %~ w ww•.doacsstatc. tl. us: pi'caps:' I'PPD_mapx,' 7PPD.pdf.'fhis map will he periodically updated as new casos of the disarse are vcriliai. How for and huw• quickly'l'PPD will spread to other Florida counties is unlcttowat. However, since tnovcmcnt of palms occut~ w•idcly in Florida, it is likely people will unknowin~h spread the disease by moving vector and infected hosts. Currently, the known succptible hosts fur the TPPD phytoplasma arc Y. canurieu.ris• Rrr'acnli~era. P, st'Ir=es6•is, P. recliuuu+, .Bohol pulnreno and StutA+•us romun:~lJiurru (queen paint). (fitly a few queen palm; in only thtrcc nursery sites -- one each in ] IillsMtrough, bTartatcc and Pinellas cotmties -- have been confirmed t; ith this clisc:rse, whereas the disease ha; been observed widely among Phoenix species in a five-counq area (Sarasout, D•tanrtee, Pinclkts. Polk and Hillsborough counties). Symptoms The syrnpknns of [Iris new disease appear to be exactly the sarnc as those associated with LY of Pdruenix species, with possibly one exception; rout deca} has been observed with TPPD. fhe first obvious'I'PPD symptom on mature palms is premature drop of most or aft fruits at one time (Figure 1). l'hc fntit drop occurs within a few days. 71te fruit drop is not spread out over a prolonged Texas Phoenix Palm Decline 3 period of time. Ltlluresccnce (Ilowcr) necrosis (death) follows (Figure 2). However, these t+;o symptoms ++ill only be ubsenedit the palm i mature enough to prcahrce fruit, i f it is the season for floacring and fruitin„ :md if the flowers or fruits have sot been trintnted from the paten. Figure 3. Discoloration of the lowest (oldest) leaves is an early symptom of TPPD. Figured. Discoloration of the lowest (older) leaves is an early symptom o(TPPD in cabbage palm. Figure 5. Discoloration of the leaves begins at the leaf tips. "fhe next symptom is disarloration of the fidia~~e. beginning ++•ith the olden leaves. Ttte leaves do not rum yello++~ (or do so briefly), but yuiclay tom varying shades ofl•eddish-brown to dark bro+vn or (,n-ay (figures 3 and 4). The disculomtion begins :u leaf tips (h'igure >). l:nlcss the palm is being monitored closely, the onset of leaf discolunuios is usually lust racogniicd as a zrcatcr ^umber of dead older leaves than is nunnal for nadrr<rl senescencc.'I'his symptom might. be confused with other problems, such as earn senescence due to nuttiest dcGcicncy (e.g., potassium) or Gasodenna butt rot. However, if the dying or dead haves arc teeing regularly removal (nobody likes au untidy paten!), even [his IPPD syrnpunn of foliage discoloration and death may not be obvious. Figure 2. Death of the inflorescence (flo+vers) is an early symptom of TPPD. This photo also illustrates a dead spear leaf (younyest leaf that has not unfolded), which is tan antl not green. Texas Phoenix Palm Decline 4 Figure 6. Phoenix sylvestris exhibiting symptoms of TPPD Note more dead lower leaves than normal for a healthy palm. Also. the spear leaf (youngest leaf that has not unfoltled) is tan and not green. In Phoenix species, when less than one-third (and usually less than one-quarter) of the oldest leaves have discolored and become necrotic, the spear Ical'dics (Figures 2, 6 and 7). Death of the spear Icsf indicates the apical meristcm (bud or heart) has died. Chrcc the apical mcristem has died, no new leaves will develop, and the rcrnaining leaves will continue to discolor from the oldest to the youngest leaves. ]n cabbage palm;, approximateh• two-thirds o1'thc oldest leaves will have discolurctl before the spear lcafdies (Figure K). In some instances, by the tirnc the spear Icsf dies, mature roots of the paten at ur near [he ;oil surfrtce v'e soft in texture and easily broken. The palm can be easily rocked back and fotth itt 4tc ground because the root system is decaying. This symptom is not typical for palms attested by LY. Death of the spear Icaf may not always be obvious. Both Phucttix species and cabbage p;dms bare numerous young leaves surrounding the spear leaf. C:nlcss you sae the spear leaf is dc;ui (Figure 2 and 6) or Sind i[ hanging front the canopy (Figure 9) or on the ground, you +vill probably need to physically examine the canopy up close to determine w•hedur a healthy spear Icsf is present (Figure 101. .Also, as the young spear leaf of Phoenix palms -- in normal, healthy conditions - is often enclosed in a thin, brown ;heath (which tca~ like paper), be careful not to confuse the normally occurring brown .heath fa a dead spear kaf. Two juvenile queen palms have been dia};mosed with thc'I'PPD phyuiplasma. Ex[ensivc root decay early in disease development was a common symptom to both palms. Leaf nccn»is was exhibited ou the low•esl leaves fist and continued up+vanl through 4te canopy. It is not yet clear at what stage in the discaec process the spear Icsf tiles, but initial observations indicate the sixar leaf dies early in the Figure 7. Closo-up of dead spear leaf in Figure 6. Figure 8. Saba! paJmefro (cabbage palm), exhibiting symptoms of TPPD. Note more dead lower leaves than is normal for a healthy palm. lUso, the spear leaf (youngest leaf) has died and is a tan color, rather than green. disease process. 'The TPPD symptoms observed in these juvenile queen palms were distinctly dilTcrent fiom fusatium wilt, another new disease o1'qucon palms. (For information on Fusaritmt wilt in queen palms, Sec the following: hupJ,•'tlrec.ifas.uf7.ttiu%palm prod%pdfT~ew-Disease- Quccn-Palms-Mex ican-Fan-Patens-.I a ly.pdf. ) Diagnostics Initial diagnosis of TPPD is based on the palm symptoms described above. Since the phytoplasma is not cuhurable, a molecular diagnostic tea is used to confirm the presence of the pathogen. If patitogen confimtation is necessary, contact your local county Extension otYice -- http: %solrniunsforyourlifo uil.alulmap -- for infornatiun on satnplc submission and cost of •. u ~• `~ 4,` r:. ~, `lh U ~ "tiiY ..•7: AyS~ .. ,. r ,~.,~``* ~ ~ . _J_. 4n~" ~° y f,~ 4 .~ij ..u • .. '~'yw, Flgure 10. The spear leaf has .3lieady dica n leis Phce;r7ix syfvesfris, and the spear leaf has urcken off from tr:e canopy. Unlike the examples shown in figuros 6. 7 and 9, without a close examination of the bud on this palm. it would not be apparent that the spear leaf had died. laboratory di;tiatosis. This information is also available on the +.~'cb site tiN the C:F`IFAS fort Lauderdale Kescarch vtd Education Center -- http: ~:`Ilrcc.if~s.uFl.edu:'pols'LY-1 PPD-Tntnk- Sampling.pdf. Sampling is accomplished by boring into the u•unk.'hhe sampling process requires a drill with a long, lar,.e-diameter drill bit. Do not obtain sample. without first reviewing the complete set of instmc[ions. 'fhc quality of the sample is critical fitr an accurate diagnosis. It is currently not known how• early in the disease cyclc'fPPD phytoplasma eau be detected via trunk-tissue Sampling. However, the TPPD phytoplasma is usually not detectable ut palm, that arc trot exhibiting symptonts.'fhis phytoplasma m;ty not he dawtablc until the spear leaf dies. Texas Phoenix Palm Oecline 6 Phytoplanma tlecection by means of testing a trunk tissue sample is like searching blindfolded for a red mantle in a bowl [hat is mostly full of white marbles. if them is only one red marble Ipltytoplasma) in the bwvl of white marbles (trunk tissue), the likelihood of selecting that rod marblo, if you were blind folded, would be slim. Hot+e+er, the likelihood of selecting a red marble increases :ts dte number of red marbles incrc:tse. The molecular test for the'I'1'PD phytuplasma in best used to confirm the presence of the disease in symptomatic palms in a nurscrv• or community in order to track the sprcatt of the disease and to devise r rnana,,etnent prugr:uu for remaining, susceptible palms. 't'he molecular test does nut certify a palm is phytuplasma frce. Remember that. palm, die or appear to bz dying for a number of reasons; Texan Phoenix palm decline is just one reason. Before submitting a sample, utkc the time to make the best possible field diagnosis. Disease Management ]f the spelt leaf ban died, [he palm should be removed as soon as possible. Ucath of the spear leaf indicates the apical nterisicm (bud) has died, so no new• growth will occur. Although lower leaves may remain gtrcen for a number of months altar Ore spear Icaf dies, it is in [he list interest of the ^ursen° grower or [he atmmunity to remove the inloctious palm as soon as possiblc.'I'hc diseased palm serves as a source of the phytuplasma than eau be transmitted by an insect vector wstill-healthy,'1'1'PD-susceptible palms. If TPPD symptoms arc present, but the spear teal' has not died. thcrapcutic treatment of the disease may be achieved by application ol'the antibiotic oxytctrtcycline HCI (often referred to as OTC), admutistcrcd to palms by liquid injection into the trunk. Treauncnts would continue for the life of the palm on a four-month trcahnent schedule. I'hc most effective use of the antibiotic is as a preventive treatment to ptutect susceptible palms when TPPD in known [o occur in [he Etrea. Again, these preventative antibiotic treatments should be made every four months. However. only palms known to be susceptible should receive the troatmenis. Fo bate, palms ktto+vn to be most. susceptible to TPPll are the following: Phoenix curufrrensi.+• (Canary [stand date palm), Phueeh- rlucl)-lifer'a (edible date palm), Phocnlx.rvh~esu-i.+• (wild date palm) and.S'ahnl pulmirtto (cabbage palm). The only source fur ox}•tetracycline HCI -- a product registered by Ore C.S. Environmental Protection agency (FI?A) -- is'IYeeSaver"' (http:ihvww.palnttrcesaveccom). This product is tilt distribution and use only in F]oricL•t. Please read and follow label directions. The w'cb site lilt the company proeiden hclpfid hintslursuccessful use of this product.. As with LY', landscape disease management irf TPPD via control of the vector population in not recommended, cspcciallp since the TPPD vector is unknown at this time. Cse of bust resistance represents the most practical long-ternt solution. I[owevcr, the cornplcte pahu host range of this phytuplasma is probably not yet known. References Ilarrison, 1;. A., F.. E. llelmick, 14. L. Elliott. 2008. Lethal ycl(ow•ing-type diseases ol'p:dms associated with phytuplasma, newly identified in Florida, I:SA. Annals of Applied Biology I S3:8S-94. l larrison, N. A., ~1. \\`omack, !vt. L. Carpio. 2002. Detection and characterirttion of a lethal yellowing (lGSr1V) soup phywplasma in Canary island date pahus affcctcti by lethal decline in Texas. Plant. Disease BG:G'•G-GR I. ~icC oy, R. I•.. 1975, EfYect of oxyteu•acycline dose and Gage of disease development on remission of lethal yellowing in coconut palm. Plant Dinwsc 59:717-720. ~icCo}, K. E. 1982. lac of tetracycline antibiotics to control yellows disc:tses. Plant Disease GG:539-542.