Location: Tropical Plant Genetic Resources and Disease Research
Project Number: 2040-21000-019-001-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Jul 25, 2018
End Date: Jul 31, 2022
Objective:
The objectives of the project are to determine the concentrations and mixture of Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate (DOT), and Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride (DDAC) products to eliminate viable Ceratocystis in ohia wood, analyze ohia absorption and uptake ability of borate products under different application regimes, test and document efficacy of dip-diffusion treatments of ohia logs, and develop methodology for operational level test.
Approach:
Rapid Ohia Death (ROD) is a fungal disease that has killed hundreds of thousands of ohia trees on Hawaii Island since it was first discovered in 2014. Dip diffusion experiments using borate and quaternary ammonium compounds are planned in an effort to develop a low cost method to kill Ceratocystis pathogen propagules in logs from ROD-killed trees. The experiments will assess the extent and distribution of chemical uptake, fungicidal efficacy against Ceratocystis, and feasibility for use in an operational setting. Implementation of developed protocol will aid in reducing pathogen movement within Hawaii Island and to ROD-free islands in the state.
