By Dr. Thomas T. Yamashita
Viruses constitute one of the most sophisticated pathogens known to man. They are entirely dependent upon the living host, and have developed an intimate association with the host. One adaptation in particular needs mentioning here so that we can understand our rationale on how to combat this parasite.
The virus has a sensitive chemical communication system with the host. When the host is actively harvesting carbon and energy it is capable of producing many compounds used in its resistance response. When these resistance compounds are in abundance in the host, the message sent to the virus is, “It is dangerous to replicate, as the host has armed itself with various resistance compounds,” which can easily denature the protein coat of the virus particle. Under these conditions, the virus goes into remission and goes dormant.
When the host’s health is compromised, however, the opposite message is relayed to the virus: “It is safe to replicate.” The number of virus particles begins to increase and these particles are easily translocated to nearby or distant tissues.
We will concentrate on raising the rate and efficiency of carbon-energy harvest and in so doing: (1) induce resistance expression, and (2) place the pathogen symptoms into remission and the pathogen into a state of quiescence or dormancy. Further, this virus disease remission example can serve as a model for various related disorders such as:
- Mycoplasma diseases
- Systemic bacterial diseases
- Rickettsia diseases
- Viroid diseases
- And others
Almond Orchard – Field Research Example
Conditions
A 12th leaf almond orchard had, since the inception of planting, been placed on an imbalanced nutrition program. The primary source of fertility came from UAN-32 and anhydrous ammonia. The pollinator variety, Carmel, was manifesting extensive noninfectious bud failure (NIBF), and the trees were uneven in development, with sparse new growth that was present hosted balding and/or frequent zones on the shoot free from vegetative buds.
The foliage was manifesting extensive shot hole-like symptoms and developing nuts hosted rough, thickened and convoluted hull tissue indicative of prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV). As further indication of the weakened and debilitated status of the orchard, this block manifested classic alternate bearing symptoms.
Plan
Because of the seriousness of the orchard decline, we took no chances and defined the nature of the salient parameters influencing the malady. The remedial program encompassed, among others, applications of:
Almond Soil Programs
Timing: Early Fall
Materials and Rate/Ac:
- Lime: 2 tons
- Dolomite: 1 ton
Instructions:
Lay down a 2’ wide band on both sides of the tree row. If berms are present, start the band at the base of the berm. Allow for incorporation via irrigation and/or rain.
Timing: Early Fall
Materials and Rate/Ac:
- Sulfate of K: 500 pounds
Instructions:
Lay down a narrow band on both sides of the tree row. Incorporate with irrigation and/or rain.
Timing: Early Fall
Materials and Rate/Ac:
- Water: 12 gallons
- UAN-32: 10 gallons
- Fusion 360 Soil: 20 gallons
- Phosphoric Acid (Grn): 5 gallons
- Iota: 2 quarts
Instructions:
Into a mix tank place the full amount of required water and start agitation. Blend in UAN-32 + Fusion 360 Soil + PA + Iota. Inject over sufficient time to achieve even distribution.
Timing: 2 / 1-2
Materials and Rate/Ac:
- Water: 5 gallons
- Integrity Z-422: 1 quart
- Integrity FG-M: 1 quart
- Tilth: 2 gallons
- Borosol: 6 ounces
- Iota: 1 pint
Instructions:
Into a mix tank place the full amount of required water and start agitation. Blend in Z422 + FG-M + Tilth + B + Iota. Inject over sufficient time to achieve even distribution.
Note: Reduce Tilth to 1.5 gal, keep other levels the same and run this program 1x/month as a maintenance regime for soil microbial activity. Soil microbial activity is a living, dynamic system that, once initiated with all its many variables in proper order, must be carefully maintained in an actively growing status.
Almond Foliar Programs
Timing: November (Fall)
Materials and Rate/100 Gallons:
- Fusion 360 Foliar FG-31: 3 gallons
- Integrity Ca: 3 quarts
- Integrity Z-422: 1 quart
- Integrity FG-M: 1 quart
- Captan FL: 3 pints
- Borosol: 2-6 ounces
- Silicon Surfactant: 2-3 ounces
Instructions:
Fill the spray tank at least 3/4 full with water and start agitation. Gradually add materials in the order given.
Note: This spray is oftentimes underrated as it is oftentimes thought of as depositing minimal material on the buds and sparse sets of viable leaves. However, the response has always been to increase set the following set. Further, if growers encounter rains in the spring which keeps them from utilizing a ground rig, the added health factor and the deposition of Captan provide lasting protection through some of the most difficult of environmental conditions.
Timing: 5% Bloom to 50% Bloom
Materials and Rate/100 Gallons:
- Fusion 360 Foliar PG-31: 3-5 gallons
- Integrity Ca: 2-4 quarts
- Integrity Z-422: 2-3 pints
- Integrity FG-M: ½-1 pint
- Rovral Fl: 1-1.5 pints
- Topsin WP: ½-1 pounds
- Borosol: 2-6 ounces
- K-Nite: 1-2 pounds
- Silicon Surfactant: 1-3 ounces
Instructions:
Fill the spray tank at least 3/4 full with water and start agitation. Gradually add materials in the order given. Apply at a volume that delivers a fine mist (approximately 20-40 gpa).
Timing: Petal Fall
Material and Rate/100 Gallons:
- Fusion 360 Foliar PG-31: 2-3 gallons
- Integrity Ca: 2-4 quarts
- Integrity Z-422: 2-3 pints
- Integrity FG-Micros: ½-1 pints
- Ziram WP: 2-4 pounds
- Borosol: 2-6 ounces
- K-Nite: 1-3 pounds
- Silicon Surfactant: 2-3 ounces
Instructions: Mix as outlined above. Apply as a fine mist (20 gpa to 50 gpa).
Note: As all fungicides host subtle to distinct phytotoxicity, it is important that you select materials with minimal phytotoxicity. The nutrient program is not only designed to increase the crop set but to buffer the phytotoxicity.
Heat Waves: Apply as above but use 3.5 to 5.0 gpa FG-31 and 5 quarts Integrity Ca.
Timing: Season
Material and Rate/100 Gallons:
- Fusion 360 Foliar FG-31: 2-3 gallons
- Integrity Ca: 3-5 quarts
- Integrity Z-422: 2-3 pints
- Integrity FG-Micros: ½-1 pints
- Microthiol: 1-3 pounds
- Borosol: 2-6 ounces
- K-Nite: 1-3 pounds
- Silicon Surfactant: 2-3 ounces
Instructions:
Mix as outlined above. Apply as a fine mist (20 gpa to 50 gpa).
Note: As all fungicides host subtle to distinct phytotoxicity, it is important that you select materials with minimal phytotoxicity. The nutrient program is not only designed to increase the crop set but to buffer the phytotoxicity.
Heat Waves: Apply as above but use 3.5 to 5.0 gpa FG-31 and 5 quarts Integrity Ca.
Outcome of Protocol
Within the growing season, it was apparent that the trees’ health had been dramatically improved, to where the new growth was free of PNRSV symptoms. The trees held an impressive set of flower buds going into late fall. The subsequent bloom was impressively dense and fragrant, and the ensuing set of almonds gave a yield just over 3,100 pounds of meat per acre.
Bell Peppers – Field Research Example
Conditions
The majority of a pepper field, at the inception of flowering, began to manifest symptoms of the Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV). While one of the primary vectors is the thrip, the virus can lend itself to mechanical transmission. Indeed, spread within the field is often facilitated by the equipment scraping over the seedlings and thereafter transmitted to other seedlings.
The disease had progressed to vines manifesting leaf mottling, shoot & leaf distortion, abortion of flowers, rugosity of foliage and other symptoms common to TSWV. Occasional seedlings had wilted and died. Having assessed the magnitude and progression of this disease and conclude that remission and recovery was very possible, we proceeded in administering the same programs to this pepper field as was previously developed to address prevention of Pn shutdown.
Seedlings were first sprayed 3 times at a 5-7 day intervals using 30- 40 gpa spray volume:
- FG-31 at 3 gallons/100 gal
- Nutri-Phite at 1 pint/100 gal
- Integrity Ca at 4 quarts/100 gal
- Integrity Z-422 at 1 quart/100 gal
- Integrity FG-Micros at 1 pint/100 gal
- 10% Boron at 2 ounces/100 gal
- KNO3 at 1-3 pounds/100 gal
- Manex at ½-1 pints/100 gal
- Silwet L77 at 2-3 ounces/100 gal
On the rates which indicate a range, the lower rates are always used in the beginning until the plants begin to acclimate to the spray. Thereafter, the rates are gradually raised until the higher levels are reached, and maintained there. The sprays are thereafter continued through the season’s end at 7 to 10 day intervals.
Soil Programs
Also, the block was analyzed completely and a field-specific soil fertility program instituted. Foster-Gardner used its unique, custom-designed blended fertilizers and did such a great job that it would be difficult to ever go back to generic relics of nutrition.
The program entailed use of 8-0-6 and 2-12-6 at 4 to 8 gallons per week and variable rates of 0-0-7 to be used in what I have termed “counter punch programs” designed to arm the plant with additional ability to overcome various levels and types of physiological stress. The general approach was very similar to preventing the shutdown of photosynthesis (photorespiration). That is, by maintaining an efficient carbon-energy harvest, you arm the plant with the ability to successfully express the resistance response. Within this resistance response to the TSWV is the need to produce large quantities of various phenolic-like compounds, which are capable of inactivating the protein coat of the virus. The specifics of the soil programs can only be given in generalities as they are generated following thorough chemical and biological analyses of the encompassing blocks and thereafter generated to be block-specific.
Outcome
By the second foliar spray, the vines manifested the distinct recovery of physiological processes, followed quickly by outstanding growth and development. The vines resumed production of flower buds and the setting of fruit, and the canopy developed a dense array of foliage, which shaded the fruit and dispelled our concerns about sunburn. There was no question that the TSWV was placed into remission. Yields were above average and the quality outstanding.
