Mr. Persaud ignored NAREI’S recommendations

May 16, 2014 Letters

Dear Editor,
Please allow us the chance of responding to the claims of mystery disease affecting crops written by Mr. Baliram Persaud.
This is the second letter of this nature written by Mr. Persaud on this matter within a year. The first was written in October of 2013. The mystery disease referred to by Mr. Persaud is an infestation by the fungus, Fusariumoxysporum, a soil borne fungus that causes wilting in a number of crop grown locally especially tomato, pepper and boulanger.
On Sunday 20/10/2013 a team of extension staff from the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) comprising the Coastal Coordinator, the Regional Coordinators (Region 4 and 2) and the District Crop Extension Officer (Region 2) visited Mr. Persaud’sgarden plot located at Lot 19 Section B Suddie.
Upon inspection, it was found that a total of six plants (4 boulanger and 2 hot peppers) died sometime prior to our visit. Since extensive desiccation and degradation of affected plants had occurred the samples were deemed unsuitable for laboratory examination. However, based on their inspection and descriptions given by Mr. Persaud,the team concluded that the plants died as a result of fusarium wilt. Mr. Persaud informed the team that he always plants boulanger, peppers and tomatoes on his land and this has been going on “as far as he can remember”.
Fusarium wilt is a common soil borne fungal disease caused by the pathogen Fusariumoxysporum. The fungus gains access through the root and clogs the vascular system of the plant and chokes the supply system of water and food leading to death through dehydration.
Once a patch of soil is infected with F. oxysporum,it is difficult to treat and the fungus can remain active in the soil for four or more years. Based on the current practice employed by Mr. Persaud of growing one family of crops, the most practical management strategy was provided to him on practicing crop rotation for two to three years – utilizing crops such as bora, ochro, beans, cucumber, saeme, celery, etcbefore returning to the affected crop species in the affected area to avoid this problem.
The team further explained that other options are available which included extensive treatment with chemicals through fumigation or soil sterilization.Both of which are costly alternatives with no guarantee. He finally accepted that there is need to avoid planting the susceptible crops on the infected plot.
Subsequent visits by the extension officer revealed that Mr. Persaud continued to plant the same crop on the infected areas with the same result against our recommendations. He further claimed that our technical staff cannot help him and refused access to his garden.
From October 2013 to April of 2014, Mr. Persaud was visited on eight occasions. The most recent being, 30/04/2014. At the time of that visit, he claimed that he abandoned the plot and cannot accommodate the extension staff.
At this time we cannot understand the purpose of Mr. Baliram’s letter and conclude that it is at the minimum deemed as being mischievous.
Deputy CEO (Extension and Training)

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Mr. Persaud ignored NAREI’S recommendations

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