Over the past year I have had several calls of people concerned about the decline of their iconic Cabbage palms (Sabal palmetto) for no apparent reason. There is a relatively new palm disease that is affecting our cabbage (Sabal), Phoenix (date) palm population in Hardee County. It is a small organism called phytoplasma.
The disease in question is called Texas Phoenix palm decline. The bacterium causes wilting and eventual death and its treatment is unviable for most homeowners and land owners that enjoy the palms, characteristic icon of our region. The origin of this disease has been traced by DNA testing to the same phytoplasma that causes decline in Canary Island date palms in South Texas.
Mode of action
The bacterium colonizes the phloem of the plant (vascular tissue that carries substances produced in the leaves) of plants. Phytoplasmas are transmitted by piercing-sucking insects that feed on palm sap: planthoppers, and treehoppers.
It is not yet clearly known when this bacterium arrived in Florida, but in 2008 it had been identified in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties. By 2016 it had been detected in a total of 22 counties in our region including Hardee.
Plant symptoms
Symptoms of Texas Phoenix palm decline start with discoloration of the tips of older leaves. Infected leaves turn brown and gradually die-off. Infected palms exhibit a large proportion of brown leaves in the lower region of their canopy. The infection of mature palms leads to premature leaf drop and also fruit drop in a few days. This symptom is also accompanied by root rot.
Disease management
There is no possible treatment if the plant spear dies (primary growth point). Plant disease management can be cumbersome for most homeowners and unfeasible for most producers since the treatment consists of using oxytetracycline hydrochloride, a broad spectrum antibiotic. If a palm is infected, but still has a green spear, the disease can be suppressed, but not eliminated. Antibiotic injections to the trunk of infected palms need to be administered every three to four months for the rest of the palm’s life. The only long-term disease management solution would be to breed for resistant strains of the susceptible palm cultivars.
Antibiotic treatments should be injected at a rate of 1-3 grams per palm as a preventive dose for healthy palms.
There is no vector control or insecticide treatment recommended for managing the spread of this disease due to the lack of feasibility of this strategy.
In conclusion, the palm decline that we are seeing in our area is a problem that has limited solutions. Keep in mind that there are many different palm cultivars that can replace sable palms. Choose wisely!
For further information on this topic, please call the UF/IFAS Extension Hardee County office at 863-773-2164. We are here to help.
Read more on this topic:
- UF/IFAS EDIS Publication: Texas Phoenix Palm Decline
- Texas A&M Extension Publication: Date Palm Lethal Decline in Texas Landscapes
- Louisiana Extension Publication: Texas Phoenix Palm Decline
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Comments:
March 8, 2022
During the time they require the brooder they do not need a run. Constant temperature and protection from drafts is the most critical part for their development at this point.
February 18, 2022
Thank you for this! I am in the process of obtaining my first little backyard flock and am feeling a bit intimidated by this whole brooder issue. This really helped me feel more confident! I have a coop set up and ready, but also wanted to provide a run. Do these have to be connected? Can I train the birds to go into it and then back to the coop at night? Thank you for your help.
December 14, 2020
Not that I am aware. Maybe watch weather pattern differences because these can affect the germination time.
December 13, 2020
any special requirements or things to be extra aware of in zone 9B-10, im right on the cusp?
November 10, 2020
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March 29, 2019
Saludos: espero estar traduciendo todos mis "blogs" para el beneficio de todos! Gracias
March 29, 2019
Me da gusto que este post este en espanol espero que sigan poniendo mas
August 9, 2018
UF has also released flies to manage fire ants. Bottom line: there is nothing more effective right now than chemical control right now.
July 25, 2018
University of Texas are studying agricultural control of fire ants with a species of phorid flies. Is this something we are trying in Florida as well? Fire ant mounds are very difficult to control and they can easily take over a yard. I have tried several different product without any good results. I am trying some products by Amdro, Siege, and Extinguish next. If there were any better natural products available I would much rather use than spreading chemicals.
March 9, 2018
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August 10, 2017
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