UG research finds Orange Rust Disease in Guyana

Apr 26, 2012 News

…. sugar yields under threat

Research by the University of Guyana has found the presence of Orange

Prof Daizal R. Samad

Rust Disease in the country. This disease afflicts sugar cane leaves and has the potential to decrease sugar yield by up to 65 per cent, and if left untreated, could have devastating consequences for the entire sugar industry.
According to Director of the Berbice Campus, Professor Daizal R. Samad, an active researcher attached to the institution, Dr Subramaniam Gomes “and a young agronomist from GUYSUCO brought a sample to me last week. They also informed me that the disease has already been found in places like Barbados, Brazil, Cuba, Australia, and so on”.
Like no other time in its decade- long existence in Berbice, the University of Guyana Berbice Campus (UGBC) is leading the way in areas of teaching and learning as well as in research and publication. The Director of the tertiary education institution, Professor Samad, said that several individuals and institutions have called upon the campus for assistance regarding the news release concerning Black Sicatoca disease, the cure for a disease in plantain crops, which was discovered by Dr Subramaniam Gomes, an active researcher attached to the institution.
He noted that such a disease left untreated, could have a devastating effect on our sugar industry and therefore to the nation’s economy. “Dr. Gomes further informs me that a fungus-based insecticide called Carbendazim has been known to treat the disease.
“Although I am no expert, I have recommended to Dr. Gomes and the GUYSUCO agronomist to cordon off a small plot that is infected by the Orange Rust Disease and treat it to see if Carbendazim works in our conditions. If it works, how quickly does it work and what are the potential side-effects?”
Prof Samad said that Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, has been alerted and has assured him “that he and his Ministry are fully on board to take what actions are found to be necessary”.
“We do not want to wait for things to get bad before we act. Our research and follow up action must be pre-emptive,” he added.
“UGBC has been of service and our scholarship of discovery has moved forward to the “scholarship of application”, Prof Samad added.
He noted that, like no time than before, numerous lecturers at the university campus are engaged in research work as well as publishing and noted how important it is for them to do so lest “they run the risk of teaching the same old things in the same old ways….every person in our country gains”.
The “Dead Fish Syndrome” which was evident a few months ago along the Corentyne River shorelines had a study actually done on it and the preliminary research is now being extended to have a long- term assessment as well as geographic coverage over a two- year period, all along the Corentyne Coast.
“UGBC is sponsoring this research that could be very important to the health and well being of our fellow Guyanese. In fact, we are also sponsoring Dr. Kumar (who carried out the investigation into the dead fishes) to go to Mexico to present a paper on his findings at an international conference. I have asked Dr. Kumar to speak to as many international experts as possible so that they may give direction and advice,” Prof Samad said.
Additionally, Mr. Vishal Mahabir, one of the youngest university lecturers in Guyana, has just returned from an international conference in Thailand and has made his presentation about the research he carried out after finding scientific proof about the nutritional value to be found in the seeds, skin and flesh of pumpkins.
“I expect his research in Chemistry to gain much steam and substance from the Thailand Conference. After all, we must get concrete returns for the expenditure of tax-payer dollars that keep us going”.

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